PHOENIX — Authorities say a man has died after a police shooting near 7th Avenue and Van Buren Street Saturday afternoon.
Phoenix police say the incident started as a fight between the man, later identified as 37-year old Paul Bolden, and a woman at a hotel nearby.
Authorities say during the fight Bolden, who armed with a gun, grabbed a baby from the woman's arms. Police say Bolden walked around the parking lot, fired his gun and threatened other people in the area.
Police say Bolden continued to hold the baby as he walked onto Van Buren Street. Officers say a vehicle traveling westbound on Van Buren stopped when Bolden walked into traffic with the child. Authorities say Bolden walked over to the vehicle and pointed the gun at the driver.
When officers arrived, police say Bolden started firing his gun in their direction. They gave Bolden commands to drop the gun, but he refused. Bolden continued to ignore commands to drop the gun and he pointed the gun at the baby and then at the officers. Police say an officer fired at Bolden with his rifle stopping the threat.
Critical Incident: Saturday afternoon a man was armed and shooting a gun in the area of 7th Av and Van Buren St. The man was carrying a baby and shooting his gun when Officers arrived. Officers shot the suspect and rescued the baby. pic.twitter.com/VHCIYJrv8W
— Phoenix Police (@PhoenixPolice) January 10, 2021
Police say officers immediately approached Bolden and rescued the baby who was being held by Bolden throughout the incident.
Bolden was transported to the hospital in extremely critical condition. Police say he later died from his injuries.
The baby received minor injuries and was reunited with his mother. Authorities say there were no injuries to officers or any other community members.
