MCSO: Deputy involved in shooting in Guadalupe

GUADALUPE, AZ - The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office has identified a man killed in a deputy-involved shooting in Guadalupe Thursday morning.

MCSO spokesman Jeffrey Sprong said no deputies were injured in the incident that happened around 9:45 a.m. near Hardy Drive and Guadalupe Road.

Tempe police spokeswoman Molly Enright said in an e-mail that Tempe police responded to an attempted burglary call and MCSO deputies responded to assist.

MCSO said while investigating, a deputy came across a suspect with a knife who was threatening the deputy in some way.

The deputy reportedly shot the suspect.

That suspect, who has been identified by MCSO as 19-year-old Joel Smith, was taken to a local hospital.

Smith was pronounced dead at the hospital, according to MCSO.

One witness said she saw deputies shoot the man. The witness said it looked like Smith wanted to surrender because he was walking towards the deputy and said she did not see anything in his hands.

Smith’s family members tell ABC15 he was shot in the neck and stomach and feel the deputy should have used a Tazer instead of a gun.

“Why can't they just use it to – if they need to stop him I understand. I understand. But why do they have to shoot him,” wondered Mary Pinon.

The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office said it will conduct a separate investigation to determine whether any criminal charges against the deputy are warranted.