GLENDALE, AZ — Authorities are investigating after Glendale police shot and killed a man early Wednesday morning near 63rd and Maryland avenues.
Just after midnight, Glendale police officers responded to the area for reports of a “person acting erratic and physically hitting cars.”
When officers arrived, they located 26-year-old Jose Enrique Cortez and saw him get into a vehicle and leave the scene.
As Cortez was leaving, he allegedly swerved at a patrol vehicle with an officer inside and hit the car, according to Glendale PD.
Cortez then continued driving away and was followed to the area of 62nd Avenue and Ocotillo Road.
Police say when they caught up with him, Cortez got out of the vehicle and started yelling “shoot me” at the officers. Cortez reportedly moved toward the officer in “an aggressive manner.” An officer deployed a Taser, which was not effective, and police say Cortez reportedly reached toward the small of his back.
According to police, that caused an officer to perceive an imminent threat, so he fired his weapon, hitting Cortez.
Cortez was taken to a hospital and did not survive.
No officers were hurt. Police say no gun was found during their investigation.
