The Phoenix Police Department released a Critical Incident Briefing (CIB) video containing audio and visuals in relation to a May 22 officer involved shooting with a woman who was wielding a butane lighter gun.
The incident occurred when the Phoenix Police received a call about an unresponsive woman inside of a running vehicle, sitting in a nearby parking lot. When officers responded to the area and found her vehicle, the woman was still unresponsive. However, she appeared to wake up and was then given commands to put the vehicle in park. The woman then drove out of the parking lot, to which police followed her and attempted to make a traffic stop.
The woman finally pulled over in an apartment complex, where she was again given commands to turn the vehicle off and throw her keys out of the window. However, she did not comply and drove off again.
Police pursued, with the Phoenix Police helicopter overhead, for about 15 minutes. That is when officers with the Tactical Support Bureau immobilized the vehicle.
After the vehicle was immobilized, officers surrounded the vehicle and issued numerous commands to turn off the car and show her hands. Rather than comply, she produced an object that was perceived to be a handgun and pointed it at an officer.
It was that moment that multiple officers discharged their firearms. After firing, they ordered the woman to show her hands and still she did not comply. Therefore, officers attempted to break the glass to get into the vehicle. When that did not work, they deployed an OC spray Mark 9 canister to deliver an irritant into the vehicle to force her out.
After the OC spray, officers were able to break out the driver’s door window, to which the woman exited the car through the open window and was taken into custody.
She received medical aid until the Phoenix Fire Department arrived, when the was then taken to the hospital where she was treated for her injuries.
After the incident, the object believed to be a handgun was determined to be a butane lighter that resembled a handgun
An internal investigation by the Professional Standard Bureau is currently underway as to whether officers acted in accordance to department policy. In addition, there is also a criminal investigation. Once the criminal investigation is complete it will then be reviewed by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.
Ya don’t have time to ask, hey is it a real gun!