The following
statement is from Chief Ken Cost reference the 9/25/20 Mesa PD - Officer
Involved Shooting in Tempe:
The death of Angel Benitez is tragic and we offer our deepest condolences to his family.
On 09/25/20 at approximately 0927 hours, Mesa Police Officers were dispatched to 921 North Dobson to check on the welfare of a subject passed out while behind the wheel of a vehicle. Upon arrival, officers learned that the vehicle was reported stolen. It was later determined that the vehicle was stolen from a residence in Mesa approximately 3 weeks earlier. Officers conducted a high-risk traffic stop and began giving commands to the driver to exit the vehicle. High risk traffic stops are conducted in situations where the danger for officers and nearby citizens is high and extra precautions are taken in an attempt to detain the driver as safely as possible.
The driver, later identified as Angel Benitez, woke up as officers began giving commands. Benitez refused to comply with the officers’ request to surrender peacefully. He endangered the officers and the public when he drove away, actively evading their attempt to detain him safely. The Mesa Police Air Unit observed the vehicle as it traveled into Tempe and parked in a nearby housing complex. Undercover detectives were nearby conducting a separate investigation and responded to assist due to Benitez’ active attempts to evade officers. Multiple officers arrived on scene to attempt to detain Benitez and a Mesa Police Hostage Negotiator was giving surrender instructions when Benitez dropped his hands out of their view and towards his waistband resulting in an officer involved shooting.
The Tempe Police Department is conducting a thorough, fact-based, investigation into this officer involved shooting and that investigation will be reviewed by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. At the same time, the Mesa Police Department is conducting an internal investigation and as per standard policy, the officers involved are on administrative leave. We remain committed to being transparent and will share further information as it becomes available.
The decision to use lethal force in a threatening situation is the most difficult decision an officer ever has to make; often made in a split-second.
All of us at the Mesa Police Department value our community and the lives of each and every member. It is our mission to serve and protect, to provide professional policing, and to always earn the trust and support of our community.
Chief Ken Cost
