Hello, I'm Sergeant Phil Krinsky with the Phoenix Police Department's Public Affairs Bureau. The information, audio, video, and pictures you're about to see are intended to provide details, as we currently understand them, of an officer involved shooting that occurred on September 24th, 2025 in the area of 31st Avenue and Bethany Home Road. This video may contain strong language as well as graphic images which could be disturbing to some people. Viewer discretion is advised. Body warn cameras are used by all officers assigned to patrol and several specialty units. Per policy, they are worn at mid torso level and capture the view of the line of sight from that perspective. It is important to note that the camera lens is fixed and does not capture everything seen or experienced by the officer. When activated, both audio and video turn on. The body warn camera has a buffer of video without audio for 90 seconds prior to activation. This feature is designed to capture incidents that happen suddenly where an officer doesn't immediately activate the camera. This incident began when Phoenix patrol officers responded to a domestic violence call at a home near 31st Avenue and Bethany Home Road. The complaintant contacted 911 through the department's text to 911 service. The text stated the complaint's brother-in-law was holding a baby hostage with a machete. The complaintant also stated that he threatened to use the machete on anyone who tries to take the baby. The complainant told officers not to ring the doorbell because it would make him mad. The operator was told the children's mother was waiting outside. The following recreates the text message exchange between the complaintant and the 911 operator. We have used AI generated voices to help guide you through the exchange. >> Phoenix Police Department. How can I help you? What is your emergency? Domestic abuse. Child endangerment. My sister's husband is holding the baby hostage with a machete. >> Is it a house? >> They're in the living room and he refuses to hand over the child. He's drunk and having issues with my sister. Please hurry. He's threatening me with the machete if I take the baby. The 40mm launcher is a lesslethal tool which discharges a foam projectile used by certified officers who have received specialized training. This less lethal tool is used to reduce or eliminate violent encounters between police and community. Once officers arrived, a woman directed them to the front door and told them her brother was inside with her husband who was holding her baby hostage with the machete. Officers call out to the woman's brother who walked out and left the front door open. From the outside of the home, officers looked through the open door and saw a man sitting on the couch armed with a machete, but they did not see a baby. Officers told the man to come outside, but he remained on the couch. The following is bodywn camera footage from the initial officer. Phoenix, >> you want to come that way? If he opens that door, >> there's another person. >> Who else is inside the brother? What's your brother? What is his name? You know what? You're being >> Yeah, I can see through the window. It's just his brother on the hallway. He's looking at He's on down on the couch. >> Is he? >> Yeah. >> That baby's not there. >> I I can't see. >> I can't see the baby. >> Okay. One's coming out. Coming in the door. Not the one with the machete. He's still on the counter. >> His brother. >> Go that way. >> Go that way. >> He has He has a machete in his hand. Okay. >> I can't see. >> Hey, ask where the baby's at. >> Where's the baby? You see the baby? I can't see the baby. >> Let me Hey, boss. He has a machete. >> Hey, you can't see it. >> He definitely has a machete in his hand sitting down. >> Where's the baby? >> [ __ ] baby. >> Where's the baby? Where's the baby? >> I'm going to >> The man stayed on the couch with the machete. An officer discharged two projectiles from a 40 mm launcher that were ineffective in changing his behavior. The following is bodywn camera footage from the officer who discharged the 40mm launcher. >> I can't see. Santa. Hey, ask where the baby's at. Where's the baby? You see the baby? >> I can't see the baby. >> Let me uh >> Hey, Boss. He has a machete. >> Door's open. Hey, stay back. >> Hey, >> you can't see it. >> He definitely has a machete in his hand sitting down. >> Where's the baby? Baby, >> where's the baby? >> Where baby? >> I'm going to get a >> I'm that uh the thing's in the way. So, it's hard. >> Negative. >> I can't see the baby, boss. >> So far, we just have a machete sitting on the baby. I have more points on my back. All right. After discharging the 40mm launcher, officers heard a baby crying. The man acknowledged the baby was with him. Officers moved up to the doorway and were now able to see the man with a toddler on his lap and a machete in his hand. An officer told the man to come outside, but he stayed on the couch. The officer then fired his rifle and hitting the man. The man fell to the floor, and officers moved in to disarm the man and take the toddler to safety. The following is bodywn camera footage from the officer who fired his rifle. >> He said he's with them, boss. [Music] We're I I would want to make breach from them on that baby. Okay, you guys push up. Come on. Don't get in there. Hey, stop. He has a baby in his hand. In the hand, >> he has a baby, boss. [Applause] Come in. Come in. Come in. Come in. I know. >> Get the baby. >> Get up. Get up. >> After the shooting, the toddler was taken to the hospital by the fire department where he was treated for minor injuries and discharged. Officers provided aid to the man until the paramedics arrived. He was taken to the hospital where he was discharged 2 days later. He was booked into the Maricopa County Jail on multiple felony charges to include aggravated assault and kidnapping. No one else was injured during this incident. Here is a photograph of the machete which was recovered on scene by investigators. The officer involved in the shooting is assigned to the Cactus Park precinct and has been with the department for over four years. This incident is a subject of a criminal investigation being conducted by the Department of Public Safety's major incident division. The investigation will be reviewed by the Maricopa County Attorney's Office. It is also the subject of an administrative investigation being conducted by the Phoenix Police Department. Conclusions about whether the actions of the officers are consistent with department policy and the law will not be made until all facts are known and the investigation is complete. >> This video was intended to inform and educate the public about a critical incident in our community. You can learn about the Phoenix Police Department's transparency policy.