Officer-Involved Shooting Near 51st Avenue And Osborn Road In Phoenix

Phoenix AZ

10 January, 2021

10:15 AM

Description

Press release from the City of Phoenix: January 8, 2021 Please be advised, 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 released a Critical Incident Briefing (CIB) video that includes audio, visuals and information related to an officer-involved shooting which occurred in the early morning hours on December 25, 2020. The incident started when a family gathering turned into a domestic dispute. A 911 caller reported that the suspect, later identified as Samuel Vasquez, threatened one victim with a knife before getting into a vehicle and crashing into a parked van that another person was standing next to. The caller also reported there was a child inside the vehicle. "Um he's tryin' a… Uh my nieces boyfriend trying to run over my… My niece and he already crashed into my husband's van" the caller told the 911 operator. "And he has a knife on him." Vasquez continued ramming his vehicle into the van parked in front of the house. Patrol officers from the Maryvale Precinct were dispatched to the call, and as they arrived, they saw a vehicle leaving the area. The vehicle, driven by Vasquez, returned almost immediately, driving over the sidewalk and onto the front yard toward multiple people. One officer observed this occurring from his position on the sidewalk nearby, and fired his weapon, striking Vasquez. Vasquez was hand-cuffed, and officers rendered medical aid until Phoenix Fire Personnel transported him to a local hospital for treatment. During the investigation, it was learned that the child that was reported to be in the suspect vehicle had actually been brought inside the home by one of the victims, prior to the arrival of the Police. Vasquez was released from the hospital on December 27 and booked on multiple aggravated assault charges. The officer involved in this shooting is assigned to the Maryvale Estrella Precinct, Patrol Division, and has been with the department for 3 and ½ years. This incident is the subject of both an internal and a criminal investigation, which will be reviewed by the Maricopa County Attorney's Office. 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. This press release was produced by the City of Phoenix. The views expressed here are the author's own.