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Phoenix officers engage suicidal man in knife incident

On October 2, 2025, around 7:45 a.m., Phoenix police responded to a home near 7th Street and Sunland Avenue following a 911 call about a suicidal man armed with a knife. Responders learned from family members that the man was suicidal and in possession of a knife and that he would confront police if approached.

According to the Phoenix Police Department’s Critical Incident Briefing video, as officers arrived at the scene, the man came out of the home with his knife raised above his head and ran toward an officer while verbally challenging him. At that point, three officers engaged the man. One officer used their duty weapon, another officer used both a less-lethal 40mm launcher and their duty weapon, and a third officer deployed a less-lethal pepper ball launcher.

Officers provided aid until the Phoenix Fire Department arrived and transported the man to a nearby hospital, where he later died. Police recovered the knife at the scene. The involved officers, who are assigned to the South Mountain Precinct, have approximately eight and 17 years of service with the department.

The incident is under criminal investigation by the Department of Public Safety’s Major Incident Division. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office will review the investigation, and an administrative investigation is being conducted by the Phoenix Police Department. Conclusions regarding whether the officers' actions were consistent with department policy and the law will be made after all facts are gathered and the investigations are complete.

Source: Phoenix Police Department

Source Type: Police

Source Location:

Oct 16, 2025 at 6:34 PM

Police