CHANDLER, AZ — The Chandler Police Department says Mesa officers shot and killed a man during an incident Tuesday night in Chandler.
Officials say Mesa officers reportedly started following a stolen motorcycle from the area of Arizona Avenue and Ray Road shortly after 6:30 p.m.
With the help of a police helicopter, officers followed it to another location, near McQueen Road and Chandler Boulevard, and when they approached the motorcyclist, the rider reportedly showed a weapon. Officials say that's when the police shooting took place.
The rider, who has been identified as 27-year-old Alberto Noriega, died at the scene.
In a statement Wednesday, Chandler police officials said when Mesa officers caught up with Noriega at a mobile home park near Detroit Street and Jackson Street, a less-lethal shotgun round was initially used.
A second officer pulled out their Taser and used it on Noriega when it was revealed he had a type of gun in his front waistband.
During a second cycle of the Taser, Noriega allegedly reached for the gun and that's when three officers fired their guns, striking him numerous times, police officials said.
The witness, however, says Noriega was still immobile on the ground from being tased.
"The guy was on the ground. They didn't give him a chance," she said, in Spanish.
Meanwhile, Noriga's loved ones tell ABC15 they are left with many questions.
"Why was he shot while he was laying facedown on the ground?" asked one of Noriega's loved ones, who came to the scene of the shooting.
"We're trying to get answers," said another.
As for Noriga's mom:
"I feel destroyed. I want justice," she told ABC15 in Spanish.
The gun in Noriega's waistband was later determined to be a semi-automatic replica-style CO2 handgun.
No officers were injured during the incident.
An investigation remains ongoing.
