PHOENIX — A Glendale police officer fatally shot a 46-year-old homeless man who was mistakenly believed to be a suspect in a domestic violence case, authorities confirmed Thursday. The actual suspect was later found dead in his vehicle nearby.
The incident occurred Wednesday evening as officers searched for a 23-year-old man accused of threatening and pointing a gun at his ex-girlfriend. The Peoria Police Department is investigating the shooting.
Sequence of Events
Police were responding to a domestic violence call in the area of 47th and Glendale avenues around 7 p.m. The victim provided a description of her ex-boyfriend, leading officers to Horizon Park, approximately 1.7 miles from the original location.
Officers located the suspect’s vehicle parked along the north side of the park but could not see inside due to window tint. While searching the area, they noticed a man sitting in a nearby gazebo and believed he matched the suspect’s description.
According to police, the man, later identified as a homeless individual from Tucson, did not comply with orders to raise his hands and made a movement toward his waistband. An officer fired at least one round, hitting the man, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
The man was unarmed and had no connection to the domestic violence suspect.
Discovery of the Suspect
After the shooting, officers checked the suspect’s vehicle and found the 23-year-old man lying in the driver’s seat with a gunshot wound to his head. He was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Investigation and Response
Police confirmed there was no connection between the homeless man and the suspect. The Peoria Police Department is conducting an investigation into the incident.
The shooting raises questions about the actions taken during the search and highlights the challenges of split-second decision-making in high-stakes situations. Further details are expected as the investigation progresses.
