PHOENIX — A man is in critical condition after being shot by police in north Phoenix Monday evening.
Phoenix police said around 4:30 p.m., officers were called to 7th Street and Bell Road after witnesses reported seeing a man throwing rocks and bottles at cars and businesses nearby.
Police said when officers arrived on scene, they located a man matching the suspect's description. When they attempted to make contact with the man, they noticed he had a river rock in his hand. Officers gave the man commands to drop the rock, but police said he ignored their commands and took off on foot.
Police said officers chased him across the street to the parking lot of a Chili's restaurant. Authorities said the man continued to ignore officers' commands to drop the rock and an officer shot the man as he tried to enter the restaurant.
"So we were coming around the corner, past Chili's and police cars we're coming out of everywhere so we’re having to move out of the way and I looked over and the police was already in the courtyard and he was shooting at something - bam! bam! - so we pulled over some more to get out of that line of fire," a witness told 12 News.
The man fell into the restaurant and officers were able to go into the business and take him into custody, said Phoenix Police Sergeant Philip Krynsky.
Another witness said he was sitting down to eat with his brother when the shooting occurred. He said he saw the suspect run into the restaurant and then get shot, saying, "Help me! Help me!" And then they saw a police officer walking near the restaurant with "the shotgun armed and ready toward the suspect."
Police said officers rendered first aid to the man before he was transported to the hospital to be treated.
No officers or civilians were hurt, police said
The suspect is not being identified at this time.
This is an active investigation. Stay with 12 News for updates.
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