Critical Incident Briefing - September 24, 2025 - 6100 N 31st Ave.

WARNING: The attached video may contain strong language as well as graphic images which may be disturbing to some people. Viewer discretion is advised.

The Phoenix Police Department has released a Critical Incident Briefing (CIB) video that includes audio, visuals and information related to an officer-involved shooting (OIS) which occurred on September 24, 2025, near 31st Avenue and Bethany Home Road.

This incident began when Phoenix patrol officers responded to a domestic violence call at a home near 31st Avenue and Bethany Home Road. The complainant contacted 911 through the department’s text to 911 service. The text stated the complainant’s brother-in-law was holding a baby hostage with a machete. The complainant also stated that he threatened to use the machete on anyone who tried to take the baby. The complainant told officers not to ring the doorbell because it would make him mad. The operator was told the child’s mother was waiting outside.

Once officers arrived, a woman directed them to the front door and told them her brother was inside with her husband, who was holding her baby hostage with a machete. Officers called out to the woman’s brother, who walked out and left the front door open. From outside the home, officers looked through the open door and saw a man sitting on a couch armed with a machete, but they did not see a baby. Officers told the man to come outside, but he remained on the couch and did not comply. An officer discharged two projectiles from a 40mm Launcher that were ineffective in changing the man’s behavior.

After discharging the 40mm Launcher, officers heard a baby crying. The man acknowledged the baby was with him. Officers moved up to the doorway and were now able to see the man with a toddler on his lap and a machete in his hand. An officer told the man to come outside, but he stayed on the couch. The officer then fired his rifle and hit the man. The man fell to the floor, and officers moved in to disarm the man and took the toddler to safety.

After the shooting, the toddler was taken to the hospital by the fire department, where he was treated for minor injuries and discharged.

Officers provided aid to the man until paramedics arrived. He was taken to the hospital where he was discharged two days later. He was booked into the Maricopa County Jail on multiple felony charges to include aggravated assault and kidnapping.

No one else was injured during this incident.

The officer involved in the shooting is assigned to the Cactus Park Precinct and has been with the department for over 4 years.

This incident is the subject of a criminal investigation being conducted by the Department of Public Safety’s Major Incident Division.

The investigation will be reviewed by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. It is also the subject of an administrative investigation being conducted by the Phoenix Police Department

Conclusions about whether the actions of the officers are consistent with department policy and the law will not be made until all facts are known and the investigation is complete.