Man on stolen motorcycle shot and killed by Mesa officers, police say
CHANDLER, Ariz. - A man on a reportedly stolen motorcycle was shot and killed by Mesa officers after reaching for what turned out to be an airsoft gun at his waistband, Chandler police said.
The shooting happened near McQueen Road and Chandler Boulevard on March 22 after Mesa police officers reportedly tried to pull over a man on a stolen motorcycle off of Ray Road.
The man fled, but a police helicopter eventually tracked the vehicle down to a Chandler trailer park near Ithaca and Detroit Street.
When they finally caught up with the motorcycle rider, one officer reportedly shot him with a "less-lethal" shotgun round and another officer tased him.
The suspect, identified as 27-year-old Alberto Noriega, then revealed what appeared to be a gun at his waistband, police said. After he was hit with a Taser a second time, police say he reached for the gun.
Three officers shot Noriega numerous times, killing him. His weapon was revealed to be a replica-style airsoft gun, police said.
The investigation is still ongoing. No one else was injured.
Related Stories:
- 230 pounds of meth, 25 pounds of cocaine, and 25 pounds of heroin lands 2 Arizona men in prison
- Ikea parking lot shooting in Tempe leaves man dead; suspects arrested
- Woman hit, killed on US 60/I-10 ramp, DPS says