News Summary
In a tense incident in Phoenix, police shot a robbery suspect who raised a gun at officers outside a fast-food restaurant. The suspect was initially compliant but suddenly became confrontational, prompting officers to use their weapons. He was injured but is expected to survive, as no firearm was found. This shooting is part of a worrying trend of officer-involved shootings in the area, raising concerns about police engagement strategies and community safety.
Phoenix Police Shoot Armed Robbery Suspect After He Points Gun at Officers
Phoenix police shot a robbery suspect on Thursday night at a fast-food restaurant when he raised a gun at officers. Fortunately, no officers were injured during the incident, which unfolded near 16th Street and Buckeye Road around 6:45 p.m.
The suspect was reportedly stealing from a woman when officers arrived at the scene. They located a man who matched the description of the robbery suspect and ordered him to the ground. Initially complying with the officers’ command, the suspect suddenly got to his feet near the restaurant’s entrance, prompting police to open fire.
The man was struck by the gunfire and subsequently transported to the hospital, where his injuries were reported to be non-life-threatening. However, no firearm was recovered during the immediate investigation following the shooting.
This incident marks the eighth officer-involved shooting involving the Phoenix Police Department in six weeks and the second such event within less than 24 hours. In addition, it is the 33rd recorded officer-involved shooting in Maricopa County this year, and the 66th across the state of Arizona.
Investigation Details
The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) Major Incident Division will be tasked with leading the investigation into the shooting. The identity of the suspect involved in this incident has not yet been disclosed.
Related Incidents
In a related note, the suspect from a separate incident earlier this week has been identified as 32-year-old Ote-Tee Brooks Nalwood. Nalwood was shot by police after officers responded to reports of an armed robbery around noon near 35th Avenue and Fillmore Street. According to reports, Nalwood allegedly pointed a gun at a victim and stole his cellphone.
Officers eventually tracked Nalwood’s vehicle to a vacant field, where he reportedly pointed a gun at police, resulting in gunfire. After initially attempting to flee, Nalwood’s vehicle became stuck, and he allegedly directed the weapon at officers once more, leading to a second round of shooting.
Following the encounter, Nalwood was critically injured and later died at the hospital. Fortunately, no police officers sustained injuries during that operation. The incident involving Nalwood has been noted as the 25th officer-involved shooting in the Phoenix area and the 54th overall in Arizona for the year 2025.
Context of Officer-Involved Shootings in Arizona
The rise in officer-involved shootings in Arizona has raised concerns among community members and advocates. The sharp increase in such incidents emphasizes a growing dialogue on police engagement strategies and public safety protocols in the region. With 33 officer-involved shootings in Maricopa County and 66 statewide thus far this year, the frequency of these events continues to be a matter of public interest and scrutiny.
As investigations continue into these incidents, the focus remains on understanding the circumstances that lead to such confrontations between law enforcement and suspects, as well as ensuring the safety of both police officers and the public.
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Additional Resources
- Arizona Family
- Wikipedia: Police Brutality
- Fox 10 Phoenix
- Google Search: Phoenix police shootings
- AZ Central
- Google Scholar: Arizona police shootings
- KTAR News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Police shootings
- ABC 15 News
- Google News: Armed robbery Phoenix
Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.
