PEORIA, AZ — A man has died after being shot by Peoria police during a fight with officers near 91st and Northern avenues Monday.
Officials said at around 4:15 p.m., preliminary information showed an officer noticed a vehicle in the Shell gas station parking lot that had a license plate that did not match the vehicle it was on.
@PeoriaPoliceAZ is on the scene of an officer involved shooting at N 91st Ave & W Northern Ave. Media stage at the Chase bank on northwest corner
— Peoria Police (AZ) (@PeoriaPoliceAZ) May 17, 2021
The officer made contact with the driver, identified as 32-year-old Garrett Sheppard. Moments later, the officer and Sheppard got into a physical altercation.
During the fight, police said the officer saw Sheppard reach for a handgun. This led the officer to shoot Sheppard in the torso.
Other officers began treatment and Peoria firefighters took over when they arrived. Police said Sheppard was pronounced dead on the scene and a weapon was located by him.
The officer was treated at the scene and released for injuries to his lower extremities that he sustained during the fight.
The Peoria officer involved in the shooting has been with the department for nearly three years.
Officials said he will be placed on administrative leave during the investigation, per protocol.
