05/20/2026 Critical Incident Briefing
This is the “Critical Incident Briefing” of an officer involved shooting that took place on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. The incident happened near the intersection of 63rd Avenue and Bell Road. Officers were responding to a call for service at a local business of a woman who may have been in distress. The woman indicated that she needed help against a male suspect who was inside the business with her. As officers approached the suspect, the man pulled a knife. Officers attempted to use less lethal force but sensing the woman’s life was in danger fired multiple rounds towards the suspect. The man survived his injuries and was taken into custody and faces several felony charges.
There are two separate reviews of an officer involved shooting: an internal review and a criminal review. Once those individual reports are finalized, those reports will be sent to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office (MCAO) for further review. Once they complete their review, MCAO will send their finding back to the Glendale Police Department and a “Response to Resistance Board” is convened. The board is made up of subject matter experts and members of our community. Their purpose is to determine whether the use of force was within policy. Upon completion of both reviews the information is sent to the chain of command and those findings will be made available once they are complete.
Please note, this process may take several months or longer to complete.