PEORIA, Ariz. — An investigation is underway after Peoria police shot and killed a man during a pursuit at a Circle K gas station.
Around 10:40 p.m. an officer saw a "suspicious male" outside of a closed business near 91st and Peoria avenues. When the officer tried to speak with the man, he allegedly ran away through the parking lot with the officer following.
After a short chase, the man fell, rolled over and then pulled a gun and aimed it at the officer, Peoria police officials said.
That's when the officer fired, striking the man.
“The officer’s training kicked in and he immediately moved and returned the threat with his firearm. He shot and struck the subject one time, perhaps more. The criminal investigation will be able to reveal more to that detail,” Chief Thomas Intrieri said.
He was taken by first responders to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. Glendale police identified the man as 43-year-old Joseph Michael Malo.
No other injuries were reported.
Detectives have recovered a handgun from the scene, Peoria police said.
The officer who shot Malo has been with the Peoria Police Department for three years, police said. He was wearing a body camera at the time of the shooting.
Intrieri noted what he called an "alarming trend" with law enforcement in the Valley being met with armed suspects.
“Phoenix PD had an officer-involved shooting Jan. 5, Peoria had an officer-involved shooting Jan. 12 and then last night, Jan. 29, so this really is an alarming trend and we ask for your thoughts and prayers for law enforcement in general and the Peoria Police Department family,” said Intrieri.
Glendale police will be leading the investigation into the incident.
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