PHOENIX — An alleged car thief is in the hospital after a shooting involving officers with the Phoenix Police Department on Friday night.
According to Phoenix police, officers responded to the area of 4th Avenue and Osborn Road for reports of a stolen vehicle around 6:43 p.m.
When police arrived on the scene, they allegedly heard unrelated gunshots nearby and went to investigate.
What led to the shooting involving Phoenix police?
Police said that a woman near 5th Avenue and Osborn Road helped direct them in the direction of the gunfire.
Officers then reportedly located a man, standing next to a black car that had a rifle sitting on top of the roof.
According to Phoenix police, commands were given to the man who proceeded to grab the rifle, get into the car and drive away.
Police said that officers pursued the man as he drove through Phoenix neighborhoods firing the gun from inside the car.
Officers with the Phoenix Tactical Support Bureau reportedly responded to take over the pursuit as the man continued to shoot from inside the vehicle.
Police said around 6:56 p.m., officers forced the car to come to a stop near 16th and Roosevelt streets by using a tactical maneuver.
According to Phoenix police, it was during the stop that the shooting took place.
No officers or community members were hurt in the shooting, police said.
Officers reportedly provided lifesaving care to the man until the Phoenix Fire Department transported him to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Traffic in the area, including the Interstate 10 off-ramp at 16th Street, was affected throughout the night.
According to Phoenix police, the Arizona Department of Public Safety Major Incident Division is investigating the officer-involved shooting.
This is an updated version of a story originally published on Oct. 10, 2025.
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