Man Dies After Phoenix Police Shooting at Sunland Avenue Apartment Complex

PHOENIX — An adult man died after being shot by Phoenix police officers at an apartment complex at 40 East Sunland Avenue on Saturday, October 10, according to the department.

Officers responded at approximately 12:45 p.m. to a report of a person walking around the complex holding a gun and a knife. While officers were responding, they received additional information that the individual had entered an apartment.

According to police, officers went to the apartment to contact the man, who exited holding a firearm and a knife.

The department said officers repeatedly ordered him to drop the weapons and deployed less-lethal PepperBall munitions. Police reported that he did not comply and raised his firearm toward officers, prompting the shooting.

Officers approached the man and provided medical aid once they determined it was safe. Phoenix Fire Department personnel transported him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

No officers or other community members were injured.

Phoenix Police Have Shot 12 People This Year

Including the October 10 incident, Phoenix police officers have shot 12 people in 2026, according to data compiled by The Arizona Republic. Its report listed at least nine fatal shootings. That report described the Sunland Avenue man as critically injured, before the death confirmation provided in the police release.

The figure counts people shot by Phoenix officers, rather than every incident in which officers discharged a firearm. Separately, the newspaper reported at least 63 law enforcement shootings across Maricopa County through October 10, involving agencies throughout the county.

The police release did not identify the man or specify how many officers fired their weapons. The account of his actions preceding the shooting comes from Phoenix police.

Incident number: 2026-1422496

Sources: Phoenix Police Department incident release; The Arizona Republic reporting.