Phoenix Police Respond To Domestic Violence Shots Fired - Suspect Killed Woman Rescued - Tactics ?

The tactics used during this is call is tough. Some good, some bad, lots of problems areas to cover and deal with. I am SHOCKED at the number of rounds fired and that the female victim was killed.

The Phoenix Police Department has released a Critical Incident Briefing video from an officer-involved shooting at an apartment complex near 23rd Avenue & Indian School.

The June 16, 2020 incident claimed the life of 27-year-old Donald Ward.

According to multiple 911 callers, Ward and a woman were fighting inside an apartment. One of those callers included the female victim of the domestic dispute. While she didn't respond to questions from the dispatcher, she could be heard pleading for her life and screaming.

The phone line remained open for several minutes as the victim continued to plead for her life. Additionally, the dispatcher believed gunshots had been fired, and this was also reported by at least one other caller.

Officers of the Mountain View and Cactus Park Precincts responded to the call shortly before 9 p.m.

When the first two officers arrived on scene, they located the apartment, and attempted to make contact. No one answered the door, so the first two officers began evacuations of neighboring apartments for their safety.

The officers then met with additional responding officers to develop a plan to make contact. That's when they heard a shot from inside of the apartment.

The officers then approached the door again and began making announcements, asking the people inside to come out. The officers got no response from Ward or the female caller.

Based on the 911 call and the gun shots, they decided to force entry to the apartment to rescue the victim.

As the officers were working their way through the apartment, they saw what looked like bullet holes in the walls.

Once inside the officers approached a closed bedroom door and forced it open. As they entered the bedroom, they saw a closed bathroom door as well. As the officers were outside of the bathroom door, they could hear the female pleading for help.

While forcing the door open, the officers heard the female screaming that he had a gun to her face and they heard a gunshot. Officers returned fire, striking Ward.

During the encounter, the victim was able to lay on the ground, and two of the officers were able to position themselves between the woman and Ward. The victim was not injured by any gunfire, and there were no injuries to any other community members or officers.

Donald Ward was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Investigators learned the woman had been dating Ward for several months and there was a previous history of domestic violence.

Three officers fired their duty weapons during this incident. The first is 46 years old, assigned to the Mountain View Precinct and has 20 years of service. The second officer is 23 years old, assigned to the Mountain View precinct and has 2 years of service. The third officer is 34 years-old, assigned to the Cactus Park Precinct.