SWAT team shoots, kills man after he fired at them during incident at Guadalupe home: MCSO

MCSO releases body camera and drone video of deadly shooting in Guadalupe

GUADALUPE, Ariz. - Officials with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office say a man is shot and killed by a SWAT Team member, following an incident in Guadalupe.

The incident unfolded in an area north of Avenida del Yaqui (Priest Drive) and Calle Guadalupe (Guadalupe Road) at around 1:30 p.m. on May 18 and MCSO deputies were at the scene for almost 10 hours.

According to a statement, deputies were called to the area about an adult male who was acting erratically, including firing a gun and moving in the direction of Frank Elementary School.

After law enforcement officials, including MCSO, DPS and Tempe Police, arrived at the scene, they deployed a drone in order to get a visual perspective on the suspect. The suspect reportedly fired multiple rounds at the drone.

MCSO: Suspect was firing his gun near an elementary school

The suspect, officials say, later "pointed his weapon and fired towards MCSO’s SWAT Team, who returned fire, striking the subject."

Officials with MCSO say the suspect was declared dead at the scene. No deputies were injured.

Our reporters tried to speak with residents in the area, but none were willing to speak. They say shootings happen in the area all the time, and they did not want to be the next target.

On May 20, officials with MCSO identified the suspect as 37-year-old Rolando Abel Rojas. Rojas had a long criminal history.

Bodycam, Drone footage released

During a news conference on May 26, officials with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office released body camera video, as well as video taken by drones, of the incident.

Some of the footage released was graphic, as they showed the moment a single round killed Rojas. Officials say deadly force was not their first option.

"We do not choose deadly force as an option," said Sheriff Paul Penzone. "Deadly force is a lack of an option where there is such a threat to the public, and no other option is available to stop that threat from occurring."

An investigation is ongoing.

MCSO holds news briefing on deadly Guadalupe shooting

The shooting, which happened on May 18 in an area north of Avenida del Yaqui (Priest Drive) and Calle Guadalupe (Guadalupe Road), resulted in the death of the suspect, identified as 37-year-old Rolando Abel Rojas. During the news conference, Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone showed body camera video, as well as drone video that were taken during the incident.