Updated Sept.1 at 4:53 p.m.
The Tucson Police Department and SWAT has identified the suspect involved in a shooting on Thursday, Aug. 25.
The incident occurred around 12 p.m. at the Cirlce K at 6090 S. Park Ave.
The suspect has been identified as 49-year-old Francisco Javier Galarza.
Galarza had active warrants for his arrest in connection with a home invasion and multiple bank robberies around the Tucson area.
TPD SWAT told him to stop and show his hands but Galarza fled on foot and removed a black handgun from a bag he had.
A police K9 was released and stopped Galarza, causing him to fall to the ground.
Galarza pointed the gun at officers and the K9.
Officers fired their duty weapon at Galarza and immediately began assisting him.
Galarza was pronounced deceased at the scene. Next of kin has been notified.
Aside from Galarza, no one was injured.
The officers involved in the shooting have been identified as Officer Ernest Ortiz and Officer Barrie Pedersen. Officer Ortiz is a 15-year veteran with the Tucson Police Department. Officer Pedersen is a 17-year veteran with the Tucson Police Department.
The Pima County Regional Critical Incident Team was called in to handle the criminal investigation.
The Pima County Sheriff's Department and the Marana Police Department have been assigned primary responsibility for the criminal investigation of this officer-involved shooting as part of the PRCIT. The Tucson Police Department's Office of Professional Standards will conduct a separate but parallel administrative investigation into Tucson Police Department personnel's actions.
———
Tucson police investigated an officer-involved shooting Thursday.
Police say the shooting happened just before noon in at a Cirlce K gas station.
🚨OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING🚨
— Tucson Police Dept (@Tucson_Police) August 25, 2022
The investigation is underway regarding an officer-involved shooting that occurred just before 12 p.m. in the 6000 block of S. Park Ave.
Details are limited. Media staging area will be S. Park and E. Bilby, north of. Unk ETA for media briefing. pic.twitter.com/mRjlN0wW8X
According to TPD, SWAT team members and police were monitoring an armed robbery suspect. As the suspect was leaving Circle K he pulled out a weapon and an officers shot the suspect.
The suspect was pronounced dead on scene.
"During their contact with the suspect he did produce a weapon and officers discharged a firearm striking him," said Sargent Gradillas. "Officers immediately began rendering aid trying to save subjects life but unfortunately he has been declared deceased at the scene."
Officers blocked the surrounding of the intersection of South Park Avenue and East Bilby Road.
——-
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.
