Man shot by police after barricading himself in Phoenix home, firing at officers
Phoenix police shot at a man suspected of shooting at officers and barricading himself inside a home near 32nd Street and Union Hills Drive.
Officers were called about a robbery attempt in the area about 3 p.m., and a sergeant who quickly arrived at the scene saw a man fleeing, according to Sgt. Andy Williams, a Phoenix Police Department spokesperson. The man was identified on Wednesday as Jose Samaniego Chacon Jr., 25.
Police set up a perimeter and while they searched for Chacon Jr., he fired at them from inside a house. Williams said he shot at officers several times but did not strike them.
During a news conference on Wednesday afternoon, Williams said investigators believed three officers returned fire; however, the official number is still under investigation.
"I think it's just a great testament to the officers and their ability to deal with such a dangerous situation," Williams said. "Such a significant threat to the public, and they were able to contain it and evacuate everyone and ultimately only minor injuries resulted."
Responding officers called for special units, which brought in armor trucks and drones to get officers in compromising positions out of danger, Williams said.
Williams said a lieutenant was injured by shrapnel and was treated but not hospitalized.
Residents of the house were not there when Chacon Jr. broke in, police said. The homeowners had weapons inside; however, they are not yet certain whether he used his own gun or one of theirs to return fire at officers, Williams said.
Williams had previously asked the public to avoid the area and to stay indoors if they were living nearby, according to a tweet.
The department later tweeted that Chacon Jr. had barricaded himself inside a home while officers attempted to negotiate with them.
The Special Assignments Units negotiated with Chacon Jr. and after several hours, he surrendered, according to Williams. The department tweeted at 7:08 p.m. that officers had taken the suspect into custody.
Williams said officers did have body cameras on during the incident, however that video has not been released. He said a transparency video on the incident will be released in several weeks.
Chacon Jr. was taken to a hospital for injuries "sustained during the incident." He was booked on suspicion of 17 charges including aggravated assault against police, burglary and attempted robbery.
The roadway closures surrounding the incident, which were still in effect Wednesday, are estimated to be reopened on Wednesday night, pending the investigation.
Reach breaking news reporter Adam Terro at adam.terro@arizonarepublic.com.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix police shoot man who fired at officers on 32nd Street
