GOODYEAR, AZ — A man has died, and a Goodyear police officer was hurt after a shooting involving police on Tuesday afternoon.
Around 4 p.m., Goodyear police say officers responded to the area for a shoplifting call near Interstate 10 and Litchfield Road.
The first responding officer located a man matching the description of the person involved and attempted to detain him.
Officials say that an altercation ensued, during which the alleged suspect “reached around the officer and grabbed the officer's firearm. The officer fought to retain control of his weapon, while both the officer and the suspect’s hands were on the firearm, a round was discharged,” a Goodyear police spokesperson said.
As the officer gained control, the suspect attempted to reach for the officer's vest and firearm. That is when officials say the officer-involved shooting occurred.
The man was shot and later pronounced dead at the scene.
The officer was reportedly grazed by a bullet. He was taken to the hospital and has since been released.
“He is expected to make a full recovery,” the Goodyear chief of police said.
The investigation remains ongoing.
This shooting was the first of two shootings involving Valley police officers on Tuesday. A few hours after this shooting, officers in Queen Creek reportedly shot and killed a suspect who had reportedly fled from a hit-and-run crash. That person has died, and a Queen Creek officer suffered minor injuries in that incident.
