Suspect shot after firing at Phoenix officers, police say
PHOENIX - A suspect has been hospitalized and no officers are hurt following a shooting involving Phoenix Police near Interstate 17 and Thomas Road.
According to police, the shooting happened at about 3 a.m. on Nov. 20 after officers confronted a man who was on a bike. Police say the man was crossing the street and was nearly hit by a police vehicle. The man refused to cooperate with officers who tried to detain him.
"During this struggle, the officer observed a handgun in the man’s waistband," police said. "The man more aggressively resisted arrest and broke free from the officer."
Police say the suspect ran toward the freeway and fired multiple shots at officers. The suspect was then found in an alley.
"The man moved one of his hands towards his waistband at which time one officer fired multiple rounds from his duty weapon, striking the man," police said.
The suspect suffered non-life-threatening injuries. On Nov. 29, police officials identified the suspect as 24-year-old Jesse Magana. Magana was released from the hospital on Nov. 21, and subsequently booked into jail.
"In this circumstance, the officers that were down the alley knew that a man had fired at an officer already and had shown the propensity to use that violence and still had a handgun," Sgt. Rob Scherer said. "It's split-second decisions… they're not easy to make, but we're out here willing to make them. We're trained… the training really backs us up and really makes us prepared to do that if and when we need to."
Magana, according to officials, is accused of committing several felony offenses, including aggravated assault and other weapons-related misconduct.
A suspect has been hospitalized and no officers are hurt following a shooting involving Phoenix Police near Interstate 17 and Thomas Road.