That’s the series of events depicted in body camera footage released by the Phoenix Police Department last week. The department released the video, as well as audio from the 911 call that precipitated the shooting, on Nov. 1 as part of the agency's “critical incident briefing," which is made public after any police shooting or in-custody death. The briefings are narrated by officers and include edited compilations of body camera footage, dispatch audio and other information regarding an incident.
Jackson was the 10th person killed by Phoenix police in 2024 — though two more were killed on Nov. 4 and 5, bringing the total to 12. In 2023, police shot and killed 12 people, an increase from the year before when Phoenix cops killed 10.
In June, the U.S. Department of Justice released a long-awaited report following a nearly three-year investigation into Phoenix police. Among other conclusions, it found that Phoenix police have a pattern of using excessive and unjustified deadly force. The Phoenix City Council and many politicians, including Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego, have opposed a consent decree that would place the department under independent oversight.
Phoenix police also have been under renewed scrutiny since video was released of two cops beating a deaf Black man with cerebral palsy back in August.
Chase turns deadly
The shooting occurred at a Dollar Tree located near Glendale and 36th Avenues.According to audio dispatch, a security guard manning the parking lot said a man, later determined to be Jackson, was “way too intoxicated,” and the guard wanted police to “check him out.” The security guard also noted Jackson had a large knife in a sheath on his belt, noting he wasn’t “waving it around or anything like that.”
Two police officers — Small and a female officer, whom the department has not identified "because she did not fire her weapon," according to police spokesperson Sgt. Phil Krynsky — arrived and located Jackson, who ran into a storage room meant for employees. The officers followed him as he climbed on top of a large freezer, pointing Tasers at him and telling him to put his hands up. In body cam video, Jackson stumbled over stacked boxes attempting to get down.
“I’m coming,” he said.
Jackson jumped to the floor, but as both officers moved to detain him, he darted out the stockroom door and into the store. During the pursuit, the female officer rammed into an aisle display and fell to the ground, dropping her Taser. Small pursued Jackson and fired his Taser at him, sending Jackson crumpled to the ground.
However, Jackson got back up and grabbed at Small. Both officers then struggled with him in a drawn-out, 87-second attempt wrestling match. Small lost his Taser and body camera in the process.
At first, with the help of a security guard, the officers forced Jackson to a knee. But Jackson managed to get back on his feet, leading the female officer to pick up Small’s Taser and fired it at Jackson, putting him back on the ground. The officers shouted orders to “stop grabbing” their hands — the female officer’s body-cam captured Jackson with a firm grip on her wrist — and to surrender his own hands to them.
The female officer then fired the Taser point-blank at Jackson while he gripped her wrist. He was able to move her hand enough to alter its direction, shocking the officer and causing her to lose control of the Taser. Body-cam footage showed Jackson grabbing the Taser and firing it near Small, who screamed. Small then stood up and fired his gun six times at Jackson’s abdomen and chest.
Essex Jackson was the 10th person killed by Phoenix police in 2024. The department has since killed two others.
Matt Hennie
Died at the scene
In the video briefing released by police, department spokesperson Sgt. Phil Krynsky said backup officers arrived and provided aid to Jackson, who died at the scene. He added that police recovered Jackson’s knife from inside the Dollar Tree store.In its briefing, the department said the officers were assigned to the Cactus Park precinct and had five and seven years of service. Krynsky did not respond directly when asked if the officers remain on active duty, information the department has shared following past police shootings.
The Maricopa County Attorney's Office opened a criminal investigation into the shooting, and police are conducting an internal investigation to determine if officers followed department policy.
