Police involved in hotel shooting with knife-wielding individual in Tolleson

TOLLESON, Ariz. – Tolleson Police were involved in a shooting at a hotel on Saturday evening.  

What we know:

Phoenix Police responded to reports of a man waving a knife at an apartment complex near 91st Avenue and McDowell Road at around 5:45 p.m. on Oct. 17. As Phoenix PD were responding, they learned that Tolleson Police had previously encountered the armed individual at the complex. Additional callers reported the man was then at a nearby hotel, waving the knife and running towards bystanders.

More callers reported the man was heading to another hotel, a LaQuinta Inn, allegedly threatening people inside the lobby, while still armed with the knife. When the suspect encountered Tolleson officers, that’s when the officer-involved shooting occurred with Tolleson Police. 

The suspect was taken to a nearby hospital. 

Only one officer was involved in the shooting. No officers were hurt. 

What they’re saying:

“I was about to go shoot some pool, and a gentleman walked in. But there had been a lot of people coming in and out, so I didn’t think too much of it until I heard him say to the receptionist, ‘Don’t make me do this,'” a bystander inside one of the hotels said. “When he did that, I looked up, and I saw a gentleman with no shirt on. He turned around, looked at me, and asked if I was with them. I said, ‘With who?’ He goes, ‘With them.’”

The witness described the suspect’s weapon, as he recounted the incident. 

“He had a big ol’ Rambo-style knife in his hand, and he told me, ‘You know what? You’re going to die today.’”

What we don’t know:

The armed individual’s identity was not released. 

What’s next:

The West Valley Incident Response team will conduct the investigation. 

Map of the nearby area of the officer-involved shooting.

Crime and Public SafetyTollesonNews