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PCSO investigates Deputy-involved shooting in Maricopa
Received from Pinal County Sheriff's Office
Monday, January 30, 2012
MARICOPA, AZ -- On Sunday, January 29, 2012, just after 10:00 P.M., an unknown Hispanic male ran into The Great Wall of China Restaurant located at 20928 N. John Wayne Parkway, Maricopa armed with a knife and took a seat inside a booth. Customers and employees inside the business fled the restaurant using a back door located in the rear of the business and called 9-1-1 after they were threatened by the suspect.
Law enforcement from both the Maricopa Police Department and Pinal County Sheriff’s Office(PCSO) responded to the scene to investigate. Members of both law enforcement agencies attempted to contact the suspect in both English and Spanish. The suspect refused to comply with any orders and was armed with knife; the man could also be seen cutting himself with the knife.
Knowing the man was a harm to himself, at 1:09 A.M. members of both agencies made entry into the business and again attempted to speak with the suspect, but he would not respond. Deputies and officers saw the knife was on the ground next to the suspect, so they advanced toward him. The suspect was hit on three separate occasions with less lethal “beanbag rounds” in an attempt to get him to comply with commands to surrender.
While speaking with the suspect at close range, the suspect pulled a meat clever knife in an aggressive manner and suddenly advanced toward a Pinal County Sheriff’s Sergeant. Fearing for his safety, the Sergeant fired two rounds from his department issued weapon. The suspect fell to the floor, still in control of the knife in his hand, which had to ultimately be kicked from his possession.
The suspect was provided with immediate medical attention at the scene but died a short time later. At this time, investigators are still at the scene collecting evidence. The suspect has not been positively identified and once that takes place we will begin the process of notifying next of kin. As soon as next of kin is notified, the man's name will be released.
Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “The suspect in this case attempted to use lethal force against one of my sergeants. The sergeant was forced to use deadly force to protect himself and other law enforcement members in the business. This marks the fifth officer-involved shooting Arizona has seen since last Thursday evening. We all know law enforcement is a dangerous profession. Last year, 165 officers were killed in the line of duty across America. Our sergeant responded to the deadly threat posed by this suspect as he was trained in order to protect himself, his fellow officers, and the citizens of Pinal County.”
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Pinal County Sheriff's Office / CopaNews.com
Officers are investigating the officer-involved shooting at the Great Wall in Maricopa.
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