Tempe police / Twitter
Audio By Carbonatix
Tempe officials revealed on Wednesday afternoon that a suspect shot dead by police on Tuesday was a 14-year-old boy armed with a pellet gun.
The teen had been burglarizing a car just before an officer shot him, police said in a statement.
Immediately following the shooting at about 2:30 p.m. near 48th Street and Baseline Road, one of the many police vehicles responding to the scene crashed into a car at University Drive and Rural Road, injuring as many as four people.
An officer initially responded to an alley at 4500 East Fair Lane in Tempe on Tuesday after someone reported a suspicious vehicle, according to the statement by Tempe police. The suspect fled the vehicle holding a handgun, and the officer gave chase, police said.
Will you step up to support New Times this year?
At New Times, we’re small and scrappy — and we make the most of every dollar from our supporters. Right now, we’re $15,500 away from reaching our December 31 goal of $30,000. If you’ve ever learned something new, stayed informed, or felt more connected because of New Times, now’s the time to give back.
“During the chase, the officer perceived a threat and fired his service weapon striking the suspect,” the statement says.
Officers found the teen near one end of the alley, performed CPR, and called paramedics. The boy was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
The boy’s weapons was found to be a replica 1911 model Airsoft gun. It was apparently among the items the boy had swiped from the car.
Tempe police said a “thorough investigation” will be conducted with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.
Meanwhile, the crash of the police SUV sent the officer driving it and two other drivers to a hospital. One car rolled, hitting a pedestrian. Two other people had minor injuries.
Police didn’t immediately return a request for comment about the incidents from Phoenix New Times.
“Challenging day for our @TempePolice men and women today,” Tempe police tweeted on Tuesday evening. “Thank you for the outpouring of support and concern. #Blessed to serve.”
