PHOENIX — Phoenix police shot and killed a man when responding to a domestic violence situation in Laveen on Monday, the city's police department said. One of the two women involved died at the hospital after being stabbed by the suspect.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: La policía disparó y mató a un hombre en una situación de violencia doméstica en Laveen
Officers arrived at the scene near 41st Avenue and Alta Vista Road where they found an elderly woman with injuries outside the home, the department said. They then found another injured woman, identified as Monica Castro, 40, in the doorway of the home. Her husband, 40-year-old Anthony Castro was reportedly standing behind her holding two knives.
Witnesses at the scene told 12News they heard police tell the man to drop the knives multiple times before the shooting. According to a police report, the man hid himself behind the woman while continuing to stab her.
Police then shot the man, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Anthony and Monica are believed to be married with three children, police said. The three children are who alerted neighbors to the situation.
Monica was taken to the hospital in extremely critical condition where she later died, officers said. The elderly woman, the children's grandmother, was taken to the hospital where she was treated and later released.
The three children were found nearby and uninjured. No other community members or police officers were harmed.
This is the eighth shooting involving Phoenix police since the beginning of the year.
This is a developing story. Stay with 12News for updates.
A little more than two months into the year, Phoenix police have opened fire on eight suspects, killing six. A Scottsdale police officer was wounded in one of the shootings.
While it’s too early to predict how 2023 will shape up for Phoenix police regarding violent encounters, if the current pace continued for the rest of the year, it would amount to a significantly high number of officer-involved shootings.
The circumstances surrounding the eight shootings in 2023 are as follows:
Jan. 3: Phoenix police said they responded to a burglary near 35th Avenue and Broadway Road, where they encountered a man armed with scissors. During the encounter, police deployed tasers, but the suspect was not subdued. The man lunged at officers and an officer fired back, according to police. The suspect was taken to the hospital, where he died. No officers were hurt.
Jan. 6: Police were looking for 37-year-old Kenneth Hearn, allegedly involved in a violent break-in and assault at a woman's apartment in downtown Phoenix. They tracked Hearn down at a complex where he opened fire and wounded a Scottsdale police officer before fleeing. Police eventually confronted Hearn in Tempe, where they shot and killed him. Phoenix police said Hearn threatened officers before he was shot.
Feb 22: Phoenix detectives were following up on an aggravated assault case near 23rd and Glendale avenues. When officers tried to make contact with 41-year-old Derin Holmes, he fled. Officers tracked him down minutes later, and authorities said that's when Holmes shot at them. An officer returned fire, shooting and killing Holmes.
Feb. 22: Arizona troopers attempted to pull over a U-Haul that was reported stolen. Officers tracked the truck to an area near 27th Avenue and Van Buren Street. Officers said the suspect pulled a gun from his waist and pointed it at officers. Police say they gave the man several commands to drop the weapon. When he refused, they fired, according to police. The suspect was killed.
Feb. 25: Phoenix police said they got a call about a possible drunk driver. The caller followed the driver to an apartment complex near Central Avenue and Bell Road. Officers found the man inside the truck. Once he got out, police said he showed signs of intoxication. During the investigation, officers noticed a gun in the driver's door of the truck. As officers questioned the suspect, they said he returned to the truck and grabbed the gun from the door. An officer attempted to grab the weapon and struggled with the suspect. A second officer shot and killed the suspect.
March 4: According to Phoenix police, a Walmart loss-prevention worker spotted a shoplifter at the store’s location near 35th and Southern avenues. The employee confronted the shoplifter, who then pulled out a gun. An off-duty officer working security fired a shot toward the armed shoplifter. Police identified the suspect as 35-year-old David Apana.
March 5: Police officers were investigating a medical call near 43rd Ave. and Encanto Boulevard, where a woman was shot. Police said they attempted to arrest 42-year-old James Saucedo on-scene when Saucedo pulled out a handgun. Police said there was a struggle, and an officer shot Saucedo in self-defense.
March 6: Phoenix police said a suspect is "down" after a shooting involving police in Laveen.
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