News

Actions

Cop named in shooting of man outside precinct

Posted at 6:31 AM, Jan 13, 2016
and last updated 2016-01-13 08:32:48-05
Police in Phoenix have identified the officer involved in a fatal shooting outside a precinct.
 
They say Emilio Rodriguez is being placed on paid administrative leave as detectives continue to investigate the Dec. 26 shooting.
 
Police say the 46-year-old Rodriguez is a 19-year veteran and came to the rescue of a sergeant.
 
They say 41-year-old Lonnie Niesen was fatally shot after he allegedly hurled rocks and bricks at the unidentified sergeant's marked police vehicle.
 
The sergeant says Niesen was screaming in the Cactus Park Precinct parking lot and throwing objects at the building.
 
Niesen reportedly threw a rock or brick, hitting Rodriguez's hand. The officer then shot Niesen, who died at a hospital.
 
Relatives told police that Niesen had stolen a gun and was making suicidal statements earlier that day.