TEMPE, ARIZONA – A tragic incident unfolded on August 16th, 2024 in Tempe, Arizona, resulting in one man’s death and an officer-involved shooting. The Tempe Police Department and the East Valley Critical Response Team are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding this case.
At approximately 7:00 a.m., emergency dispatchers received a call from a woman residing at The Meadows mobile home park on 2401 W. Southern Avenue. The caller, identified as the mother, reported that she believed her son had killed her husband (the stepfather).
Police Response
Upon arriving at the scene, officers contacted the woman at the entrance of the mobile home park. After gathering additional information, they surrounded the residence and issued commands for the son to exit the home. The son emerged, armed with a gun, and defied police orders to drop the weapon. He initially turned the gun on himself before pointing it at the officers.
Officer-Involved Shooting
In response to the imminent threat, one of the officers discharged their duty weapon, striking the son. Emergency medical services promptly treated him at the scene and transported him to a nearby hospital. The son is currently out of surgery and receiving further medical attention.
Discovery Inside the Home
Upon entering the residence, officers discovered the lifeless body of the woman’s husband, the stepfather.
Officer Details
The officer involved in the shooting has over 16 years of service with the Tempe Police Department and is currently assigned to the patrol bureau. As per department policy, he is on post-critical incident leave pending the ongoing investigation.
Investigation
The East Valley Critical Incident Response Team is handling the officer-involved shooting investigation, while the Tempe PD is conducting the death investigation related to the man found deceased inside the home.Our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time, and we will continue to provide updates as the investigation unfolds.