hello everyone I'm detective Richard enus public information officer for the Mesa Police Department this critical incident Community briefing will provide you with information about an officer involved shooting that occurred in Mesa we will share relevant video footage evidence and police procedures related to this case this will provide you with a better understanding of what happened based on what we know right now Mesa Police Department conducts thorough use of force investigations typically investigators interview multiple Witnesses view numerous hours of video footage and analyze a significant amount of forensic evidence this video will not draw any conclusions about whether these officers acted consistent with our policy and the law until all of the facts are known and the investigation is complete this video may contain officer bodyw warn camera as well as 911 calls and any other surveillance video obtained as part of this investigation we need to warn you that sometimes images and information can be graphic disturbing and difficult to watch and the video may contain strong language viewer discretion is strongly advised especially for young children and sensitive viewers on February 16th 2024 around 8:30 in the morning officers responded to a call that Tempe Police were following a stolen Landscaping truck a72 continuing Tempe is currently following a 509 into our area currently 6B easty at do eastbound 60 at doson an' 06 Chevy Colorado work truck flower pattern on the back it has GPS ands trying to catch up to it currently the suspect later identified as 25-year-old Pedro Garcia Garcia had taken the truck from the area of Hardy Drive in 13th Street Garcia drove the truck which was equipped with a GPS tracking unit to the 1500 block of East Mahoney in Mesa a Mesa police officer on patrol located the truck in front of that address but did not see anyone inside the officer parked east of the vehicle and as he was watching it he saw a man matching Garcia's description exit the building on East Mahoney and approached the stolen truck as Garcia approached the driver's door another officer pulled up behind the truck with his lights flashing and gave Garcia commands as that officer was giving commands Garcia turned quickly toward the officer lifted his shirt and removed a knife from his waistband the officer fired two rounds from his duty weapon as the second officer was pulling his vehicle closer the Second Officer heard the gunshots and saw Garcia make a quick movement toward the first officer he then fired one round none of the rounds struck Garcia the officer's body worn cameras were not activated but the incident was captured on a nearby surveillance camera take a look e as Garcia dropped to the ground other units arrived and continued giving Garcia commands for several minutes stand we're still trying to give Comm but everybody seems to be okay right now Comm to the suspect and he's not in compant he's not how we have is that so yeah there a knife right you want the loud speaker he can hear me he's he's responding just F what is she saying yeah Carly can we give it a he he's just saying that he doesn't want to get shot don't shoot him just craw out I I've been asking him to he's not doing it Garcia ignored those commands and began to smoke an unknown substance Garcia eventually sat up on his knees and began digging through his pockets and jacket officers asked Garcia to stop moving his hands but he was not listening an officer then fired a left lethal bean bag round striking Garcia in he laid back on his stomach and put his hands behind his head as officers approached Garcia one of them deployed his taser and Garcia was then taken into custody back right get him got it check his 90 real quick get out he was taken to the hospital for evaluation and cleared Pedro Garcia faces charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on law enforcement and one count of death of means of Transportation all of the information and evidence in this case will be turned over to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office for review thank you for taking the time to watch this critical incident Community briefing