Armed Man Dies After Officer-Involved Shooting in Phoenix

Authorities say the man refused commands to drop his rifle before the shooting occurred.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 3:21pm

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An armed man is dead after an officer-involved shooting in Phoenix on Friday evening, authorities said. Police responded to a domestic violence call near 35th Avenue and Osborn Road around 6:20 p.m. and encountered the man, who began running through the complex. When an additional officer arrived, the man was seen carrying a rifle and refused repeated commands to stop and drop the weapon, leading to the officer-involved shooting.

Why it matters

Officer-involved shootings are a sensitive and controversial topic, with concerns over use of force by law enforcement and the safety of both officers and the public. This incident will likely prompt further scrutiny and debate around police procedures and accountability.

The details

According to the Phoenix Police Department, officers responded to a domestic violence call near 35th Avenue and Osborn Road around 6:20 p.m. Upon arrival, an officer saw the man, who began running through the complex, and the officer followed. As an additional officer arrived, the man was seen carrying a rifle and refused repeated commands to stop and to drop the weapon. That is when the officer-involved shooting occurred.

  • The incident occurred on Friday, March 14, 2026 around 6:20 p.m.

The players

Phoenix Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that responded to the incident.

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What they’re saying

“'As an additional officer arrived, the man was seen carrying a rifle and refused repeated commands to stop and to drop the weapon. That is when the officer-involved shooting occurred.'”

— Sgt. Jen Zak, Phoenix Police Department (ktar.com)

What’s next

The Arizona Department of Public Safety's Major Incident Division is investigating the fatal incident, according to police.

The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the complex and often volatile nature of officer-involved shootings, and the need for continued dialogue and reform around use of force policies and procedures to protect both law enforcement and the public.