Overview
- Neighbors called 911 and sheltered a woman and her children after hearing screams and seeing a man assault family members on Monday night.
- When officers arrived they encountered the man carrying an ax, issued verbal commands, and an officer fired after the man allegedly lunged at police.
- Mesa police identified the deceased as 59-year-old Perry Forster, officers provided medical aid and he was pronounced dead at the scene with no other injuries reported.
- Security video and witnesses show the suspect smashed the windows of roughly 10 parked cars and neighbors are documenting damage and filing insurance claims.
- The East Valley Critical Incident Response Team with Gilbert Police Department leading the probe is examining the shooting while local reporting highlights heightened scrutiny of police shootings in Arizona this year.