Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Phoenix, AZ: Phoenix police: Officers shoot, kill gunman

Phoenix police shot and killed a 54-year-old man after authorities said he pointing his handgun at Phoenix officers Tuesday night near Thunderbird Road and 35th Avenue.

The man, whose identity was not released, was suspected of holding his estranged wife and her boyfriend hostage Tuesday afternoon and evening, according to Sgt. Tommy Thompson, spokesman for the Phoenix Police Department.

Police suspect the man entered a residence where the woman and her boyfriend had been living with the boyfriend's mother around 1:30 p.m., according to police.

The man, according to police, was armed with a handgun and threatened to kill both his estranged wife and her boyfriend.

The man complained of back pain and the estranged wife and boyfriend gave the man prescription drugs and some wine, which eventually caused him to fall asleep, Thompson said.

The woman's boyfriend then slipped out of the house to call the police, according to Thompson. The man woke up shortly after that and left the residence to pursue the boyfriend. The woman locked the door after the man left.

Two police officers contacted the boyfriend on the street who pointed to the armed man and told the officers that the man was armed, according to police.

When the officers began yelling commands to the man, he did not comply and ran back to the residence, police said. The officers ran after him.

The man reached the front door to find it locked. The man turned toward the officers and pointed the handgun at them, according to police.

The officer nearest to the man fired his gun numerous times, hitting the man, Thompson said.

The man was taken to a local hospital by the Phoenix Fire Department where he died from his injuries, according to Thompson.

Officials are still investigating.

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