Phoenix Police Kill 3 People in 5 Days

The department has already reached nearly half of its 2025 total of 11 police killings.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 9:33pm

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Phoenix police officers have killed five people in the last two and a half months, including three people in the past five days. This comes after the department had fewer police killings in 2025 compared to the previous year. The recent spate of shootings has raised concerns about the department's use of force policies and training.

Why it matters

Phoenix Police Department is one of the most scrutinized local law enforcement agencies in the country, and the recent spike in police killings has renewed calls for greater accountability and transparency around the department's use of force practices.

The details

The first of the recent shootings occurred on March 12 when police responded to a report of a shooting and encountered a man who was armed. The man approached officers despite commands to stop and drop his weapon, and an officer fired, striking and killing him. The next day, police responded to a domestic violence call and chased a man who was reportedly carrying a rifle. The man refused to drop the weapon, and an officer shot and killed him. Most recently, on Sunday, police shot and killed a man after an armed standoff where he fired at a police drone and multiple shots from inside an apartment.

  • On March 12, 2026, police responded to a report of a shooting and killed a man.
  • On March 13, 2026, police responded to a domestic violence call and killed a man.
  • On March 19, 2026, police killed a man after an armed standoff.

The players

Phoenix Police Department

The local law enforcement agency in Phoenix, Arizona that has faced increased scrutiny over its use of force practices.

Matt Giordano

The Phoenix Police Chief who issued a statement outlining new procedures and training intended to cut down on the use of police force after a previous spike in police shootings.

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What’s next

The Phoenix Police Department has not yet released the names of the three individuals killed in the recent shootings. The department says it is still investigating the incidents and will review the findings to assess if there are any opportunities for improvement in training or policies.

The takeaway

The spike in police killings in Phoenix has reignited concerns about the department's use of force practices and the need for greater accountability and transparency. As one of the most scrutinized local law enforcement agencies in the country, the Phoenix Police Department's response to these incidents will be closely watched.