PD: Neighbor shot to death by ADOT officer

PHOENIX - Police have identified a man who was killed during a dispute between an off-duty Arizona Department of Transportation officer and his neighbor Sunday night.

The officer's name has not been released, but police say the man killed was 43-year-old Quentine Barksdale.

Phoenix police Sgt. Steve Martos said the incident happened around 9:15 p.m. near Central Avenue and Camelback Road.

Martos said the officer had arrived home and was walking to his residence when he heard a noise coming from a dumpster.

When he went to check it out, the officer was confronted by a man in a ski mask who was holding a bucket that contained a liquid.

The suspect then tossed the liquid onto the officer and began charging at him, Martos said.

Based on the odor of the liquid, the officer believed it to be gasoline.

Martos said the victim backed away and as he did he saw the suspect reach into his pockets.

The officer believed the suspect was reaching for a weapon and fearing for his life, reached for a handgun he was wearing and shot the advancing suspect.

Martos said it is believed Barksdale had accused the officer of burglarizing his home recently which may have led to the victim being targeted in this case.