Phoenix Police Department releases Critical Incident Briefing video in death investigation near 44th Street and Thomas Road

The Phoenix Police Department has released a Critical Incident Briefing video to provide details as we currently understand them, related to a death investigation that occurred on June 28, 2026. Officers were called to the area of 44th Street and Thomas Road just after 4:15 p.m. for reports of an injured person in a commercial parking lot. The 911 caller stated they saw a male acting erratically, rolling around on the ground and hurting himself. When the first officer arrived, they located the man who was rolling around on the ground and swinging his arms. The man was placed in handcuffs to prevent him from potentially hurting himself further. Shortly after being detained, he became unresponsive. The handcuffs were removed and the officer began to provide life-saving measures. The officer continued to administer life-saving measures for several minutes until another officer arrived on scene. The second officer took over first aid and administered Narcan to the man. Phoenix Fire Department personnel transported the man to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. The officers involved in this incident are assigned to the Mountain View Precinct and have 19 and approximately two years of service with the department, respectively. This incident is being investigated by the Major Incident Division of the Arizona Department of Public Safety and 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 officer are consistent with department policy and the law will not be made until all facts are known and the investigation is complete.