Accident – Death – Obituary News :

Phoenix Police Release Body Camera Footage of Fatal Shooting in East Phoenix

Phoenix police have released body camera footage of a fatal shooting that occurred in east Phoenix. The footage shows an officer opening fire on a stabbing suspect.

According to Phoenix police sergeant Mellisa Soliz, the incident began on December 16th around 2:00 p.m. when the police received calls reporting an “unknown trouble” near 44th Street and McDowell. The situation escalated into a stabbing incident.

A 911 caller informed the police that her boyfriend had been stabbed with a metal stick by a homeless individual. The victim was subsequently transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspect, identified as 37-year-old Alton Tungovia, was later located by the police walking in and out of oncoming traffic near 49th Street and McDowell Road.

Bodycam footage reveals that an officer pursued Tungovia down the street while he clutched what the police identified as a cylindrical metal pipe. Despite the officer’s commands, the suspect ignored them and even taunted the officers, requesting to be shot with a real bullet.

Tungovia continued walking towards a strip mall parking lot, disregarding the officers’ orders to put his hands up. Although he raised his right arm up and down, he did not make any threatening gestures towards the officers. Eventually, he approached a police vehicle blocking the road.

In the bodycam footage, an officer can be seen firing four rounds at Tungovia, one of which was fired when the suspect was already on the ground.

Tungovia received initial treatment at the scene before being transported to the hospital. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries and passed away.

The officer involved in the shooting has been with the Phoenix police’s Mountain View Precinct for approximately six years. The incident is currently under internal investigation by the Professional Standards Bureau, along with a criminal investigation.

Sergeant Mellisa Soliz stated, “Conclusions about whether the actions of the officers are consistent with department policy and the law will not be made until all facts are known and the investigation is complete.”

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