TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — The Pima Regional Critical Incident Team identified three Tucson police officers awho were at the scene of a deadly Wednesday, Dec. 7 officer-involved shooting, as well as the suspect who was killed.
Kevin James Wallace, 34, died when officers fired at him that day.
The officers were Sergeant Nicolo A. Solarino, a 7-year veteran, Officer Vicente Valenzuela, a four-year veteran and Lead Police Officer Rudolpho Tomas Gallego, a 5-year veteran.
According to the organization, officers responded to a domestic disturbance in the 5500 block of South Forgeus Avenue.
Wallace, who police say was acting erratically and armed with a knife forced his way into a victim's home, damaging the door and stabbing several objects inside the apartment.
Police say Wallace also got into a fight with a neighbor and forced his way into that home. The initial victim closed the door.
Officers arrived and hit Wallace with a beanbag shotgun, but the suspect held on to the knife. When Wallace tried to enter the victim's apartment, officers shot and killed him.
The Pima Regional Critical Incident Team is investigating the incident. TPD's Office of Professional Standards is conducting a separate investigation.
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Phil Villarreal is the senior real-time editor for KGUN 9. He is also a digital producer and host of "Phil on Film" seen weekly on Good Morning Tucson, Phil moved to KGUN after 17 years with the Arizona Daily Star. He is married and has four children. Share your story ideas and important issues with Phil by emailing phil.villarreal@kgun9.com or by connecting on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
