69-year-old shot after pointing gun at police helicopter in Phoenix

Phoenix police responded to an aggravated assault at a convenience store near 75th Avenue and Van Buren Street at 10 p.m. on Monday, November 2. The incident escalated when an officer discharged a duty rifle, striking a 69-year-old man who was standing beside his vehicle.

Police stated that initial call comments indicated the suspect had pointed a handgun at a victim and fled the scene in a car. Officers located the vehicle in an empty lot on the northwest corner of 79th Avenue and Van Buren Street. The department said the air unit flew overhead and observed the suspect pointing a handgun at the helicopter. In response, a ground officer fired his rifle.

The man was transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. No officers were reported hurt during the exchange. The suspect has not been identified by name.

Phoenix Police Sgt. John Buchanan advised the public to avoid the area due to the ongoing investigation. He said the intersection would be shut down between 75th Avenue and 83rd Avenue on Van Buren Street for the rest of the morning and possibly into the early afternoon.

The Phoenix Police Department is investigating the aggravated assault at the convenience store. The Arizona Department of Public Safety is conducting a separate investigation into the officer-involved shooting.