Critical Incident Briefing - October 2, 2025 - 5600 S 6th St.

WARNING: The attached video may contain strong language, as well as graphic images, which may be disturbing to some people. Viewer discretion is advised.

The Phoenix Police Department has released a Critical Incident Briefing (CIB) video that includes audio, visuals and information related to an officer-involved shooting (OIS) which occurred on October 2, 2025.

The incident began around 7:45 a.m. near 7^th Street and Sunland Avenue when Phoenix police officers responded to a home regarding an attempted suicide. Details given by the 911 caller indicated that a man at the home was suicidal and armed with a knife. Additionally, the man stated that he would confront the police if contacted.

As multiple officers arrived on scene, the first responding officer contacted several family members just outside of the home. During this contact, the officer was again told that the man was armed with a knife and suicidal.

As this conversation took place, the man, armed with a knife raised above his head, came out of the home and ran in the direction of an officer while he verbally challenged the officer. This is when the critical incident began.

During this encounter, three officers used force. One officer deployed their duty weapon, another used both their less-lethal 40mm launcher and their duty weapon, and the other deployed their less-lethal pepper ball launcher.

Officers rendered aid until the Phoenix Fire Department arrived and transported the man to a nearby hospital, where he later died.

The knife possessed by the man during this incident was recovered at the scene.

The officers involved in the shooting are assigned to the South Mountain Precinct and have approximately eight and 17 years of service with the department, respectively.

This incident is the subject of a criminal investigation being conducted by the Department of Public Safety’s Major Incident Division.

The investigation will be reviewed by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. It is also the subject of an administrative investigation being conducted by the Phoenix Police Department.

Conclusions about whether the actions of the officers are consistent with department policy and the law will not be made until all facts are known and the investigation is complete.