City Of Phoenix: Critical Incident Briefing: Officer-Involved Shooting Near 39th Avenue And Thunderbird Road

Press release from the City of Phoenix:

June 14, 2021 9:45 AM

WARNING: The attached video may contain strong language as well as graphic images which may be disturbing to some people. Viewer discretion is advised. The Phoenix Police Department released a Critical Incident Briefing (CIB) video that includes audio, visuals and information related to an officer-involved shooting (OIS) which occurred on May 30th, 2021, in the area of 39th Avenue and Thunderbird Road.

This incident started at approximately 5:08 p.m. when officers responded to a report of a violation of an order of protection in the area of 39th Avenue and Wood Drive. The caller, a teenager, reported their father had been served with an order of protection two weeks earlier, and was not allowed to be on the property. The teenager said he was currently near the front door.

When the first officer arrived at the residence, he immediately encountered the suspect, later identified as 42-year-old Adan Carlos. Carlos was armed with a handgun and pointed the weapon at the first arriving officer as the officer was exiting his car. The officer and Carlos exchanged gunfire, and Carlos was struck.

The second officer arrived as the officer-involved shooting was occurring. As the officer approached Carlos, he ordered him to get away from the gun, and Carlos slid the gun away. The officers were then able to approach Carlos and take him into custody

Once officers had Carlos detained, the began providing first aid. Phoenix Fire personnel arrived and transported him to nearby hospital for treatment.

Carlos fired six rounds during the officer involved shooting. The firearm used by Carlos was recovered at the scene, and an extra magazine for the handgun was located in his pocket.

One of the rounds fired by Carlos entered an occupied residence approximately ½ mile away. No one at that residence was injured.

Carlos remains hospitalized for his injuries.

During the investigation, it was learned that a vehicle registered to Carlos was found earlier in the day, burned at a nearby location. It was also learned that Carlos was involved in an armed robbery a few hours before this incident, where he forced someone at gunpoint to drive him around looking for someone. Carlos was eventually dropped off near the residence where the shooting occurred, and let the person drive away.

The officer involved in this incident is assigned to the Cactus Park Precinct of the Patrol Division. He 26 years old and has 2 years of service.

​There were no injuries to officers or any other community members.

Conclusions about whether the actions of the officers are consistent with department policy and the law will not be made until all facts are known and the investigation is complete. An internal investigation by the Professional Standard Bureau is currently underway, in addition to a criminal investigation. Once the criminal investigation is complete it will then be reviewed by the Maricopa County Attorney's Office.

Public records law required redaction of certain personal identifying information before video is released publicly. This is why you may see some parts of Body Worn Camera (BWC) blurred or covered with a black box. Redacted video is released to local media in conjunction with the release of this Critical Incident Briefing for independent review and publication. Complete, unedited versions of the BWC are released to attorneys and the courts as evidence in a criminal case.

This press release was produced by City of Phoenix. The views expressed here are the author’s own.