Phoenix Police Shooting Incidents Result in One Fatality

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Police vehicle marking the scene of a recent shooting incident in Phoenix.

News Summary

Over the past week, Phoenix has witnessed a tragic series of police shooting incidents, resulting in the death of Officer Zane Coolidge and injuries to several suspects. The most severe event occurred during a burglary response on September 3, leading to the indictment of alleged shooter Saul Bal. In another case, police fatally shot Dominic Gracia during an erratic driving encounter. Additionally, a traffic stop incident resulted in injuries to two suspects. These events highlight the ongoing challenges faced by local law enforcement and spark debates regarding police conduct and accountability.

Phoenix Police Shooting Incidents Result in One Fatality and Multiple Injured Suspects

Phoenix experienced a series of police shooting incidents over the past week, resulting in one officer’s death and multiple suspects injured. The most critical incident occurred on September 3, when Officer Zane Coolidge was shot and killed while responding to a burglary call near 16th Street and McDowell Road. The suspect, Saul Bal, has been indicted on multiple charges, including first-degree murder, and is currently seeking to have his case returned to the grand jury.

Officer Coolidge, aged 29, was fatally injured in a shooting that also left another officer wounded during the response to the burglary. Bal, who was released from prison just two months before the incident, is being held on a $2 million bond as the prosecution seeks the death penalty against him.

In a separate incident, police shot and killed 31-year-old Dominic Gracia after he was involved in an erratic driving episode. Officers attempted to pull Gracia over at approximately 12:30 a.m., but he exited his vehicle while it rolled toward a house. After an unsuccessful negotiation with police, who deployed K-9 units, Gracia fired a handgun at officers, prompting them to return fire. This incident marks the sixth officer-involved shooting in Maricopa County in 2025 and the twelfth statewide this year. Notably, it came just hours after the Phoenix Police Department announced a new use-of-force policy aimed at defining engagement as “necessary” and “proportional.”

In another shooting incident, two men were shot by police following an attempted traffic stop near 29th and Northern avenues. Officers pursued the suspects after the vehicle accelerated toward them, leading to a gunfire exchange. The incident escalated into a vehicle crash at 59th Lane and Northern Avenue. The two suspects were treated in the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, while the involved officers reported no injuries.

Adding to the ongoing scrutiny of police conduct, former Phoenix police officer, Jesse Johnson, has filed a lawsuit against the city and its former interim police chief for wrongful termination. The suit is related to the 2022 shooting death of Ali Osman, in which Johnson was dismissed for alleged actions outside department policy. The lawsuit claims Johnson received harsher treatment than another officer involved in the incident, who only faced a brief suspension. Though the Maricopa County Attorney’s office did not press charges in the death of Osman, the city has already paid $5 million to settle claims from Osman’s family, potentially exposing taxpayers to further financial risk due to Johnson’s lawsuit.

These incidents and legal challenges underscore a turbulent period for the Phoenix Police Department, marked by fatal shootings and ongoing scrutiny regarding the actions and policies of officers in the line of duty. As the legal proceedings for Bal and Johnson unfold, the focus remains on how these events will impact community relations and police accountability in the region.