GLENDALE, AZ — Amid conflicting witness reports, Glendale police won't release their video of a 17-year-old killed in an officer-involved shooting Sunday morning.
Glendale Sgt. John Roth said officers responded to reports multiple shots fired around 2:45 a.m. Sunday near 68th and Northern avenues.The first arriving officer, a four-year veteran of the Glendale Police Department, reportedly found 200 people fleeing the area from a party in the industrial district.
An officer engaged one of the alleged shooters -- now identified as 17-year-old Levy Isaac Madueno Santibanez -- firing his department-issued rifle and striking the teen. Crews rendered aid, but Santibanez was pronounced dead at the scene. Roth said the officer was not injured, and no other victims were found.
Lt. Jay O'Neill, a department spokesman, has refused to release the officer's body-worn camera video of the shooting at this time.
"Typically we don't do that until the county attorney's office has finished their review," O'Neill said. "That's been our typical stance in the past."
Police records, including body cam videos, are generally considered public records under state law, but last year former Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery told agencies not to publicly release the evidence without permission from his office. ABC15 learned Tuesday the new county attorney, Allister Adel, is holding meetings with law enforcement officials about whether to change that policy.
O'Neill did described the body cam video to ABC15. He said said the camera, due to its positioning, doesn't directly show the shooting, but there is audio of the shooting and what led up to it.
Several witnesses posted social media videos of Sunday's shooting and police response. Some claimed Santibanez was not holding a gun and was walking away when he was killed. Tuesday, Glendale police said they recovered a gun from Santibanez after he shot into the crowd at the party. Originally a department spokeswoman also said Santibanez also shot at the Glendale officer, but police say that information is incorrect.
Crews rendered aid, but Santibanez was pronounced dead at the scene. Roth said the officer was not injured, and no other victims were found.
According to the department's preliminary investigation, approximately 60 rounds were fired at the party, including rounds from Santibanez's handgun. Investigators said they found spent shell casings from at least five different weapons.
Several witnesses posted social media videos of the shooting and police response. Some claimed Santibanez was not holding a gun and was walking away when he was killed.
A relative described Santibanez as a good kid who was at the wrong place at the wrong time. She said he was always with a smile and willing to help others. The teen was a senior at Carl Hayden High School.
"From day one, Levy and I, we just clicked," said Joey Guy, who employed Santibanez at his scrap metal business, "He was the perfect, perfect kid."
Roth said witnesses or anyone who attended the party and has video from the incident should contact the Glendale Police Department at 623-930-3000.
