1 person dead following officer-involved shooting in Laveen: Phoenix PD

Phoenix Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting on Jan. 17 that left one person dead.

The incident, according to previous police statements, happened in the area of 35th Avenue and Baseline road.

Incident began as trespassing call

During a news conference, a spokesperson with Phoenix Police said officers with a community action squad responded to a complaint about people trespassing in an abandoned house located blocks away from where the shooting happened.

What we know:

According to the police spokesperson, the suspect in the incident, later identified as 45-year-old Christopher Alan Phillips, ran away from officers, and the officers gave chase.

After jumping a wall at Baseline road, police said the suspect turned around and pointed a gun at the officers, and one of them fired their rifle, hitting the suspect. The suspect later died at the hospital.

No officers were injured, according to police.

What they're saying:

"Anytime that an officer perceives anybody’s life is in danger, including his or her own, lethal force is something that that’s an option at that point," said Phoenix Police Sergeant Robert Scherer.

Meanwhile, people living near the house at the center of the trespassing said it has been a constant problem.

"We got bikes and stuff rolling around. They come in and out, different people," said one person. "They’re always in front of the house, making noise, drinking and smoking, whatever it is."

By the numbers:

Phoenix Police say this is the first shooting involving one of their officers in 2025.

What's next:

Police say the crime scene will take hours to process, which will result in extended road closures in the area.

Area where the incident took place

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