GRcade

SCOTTSDALE, AZ (KPNX) -- An Arizona man was shot to death by police Tuesday while holding his grandson.

Police say 50-year-old John Loxas was holding his grandchild in his arms as he walked around his Scottsdale neighborhood Tuesday night threatening neighbors and police.


"There were at least three officers in position to engage the suspect. At least one of the officers thought he saw something in the suspect's hands," said Sgt. Mark Clark.

Loxas was standing outside of his home with his grandchild still in his arms when Officer James Peters fired one shot to the head, killing the suspect.

Police say the 9-month-old boy was not injured during the shooting.

Officers also escaped unharmed.

Some neighbors are now questioning the officers actions.

Investigators say the officers on the scene thought Loxas was holding a gun.

Detectives did not find a weapon on Loxas following the shooting, but did locate several firearms inside the home.

Officer Peters, who fired the fatal shot, has been involved in seven shootings over the past decade.
Six of those have been fatal, and all have been ruled justified.

Some neighbors are now questioning the officers actions.

satriales wrote:I heard about this. The police say they thought he had a gun in his hand, but actually all he had was a phone in his pocket.

Rightey wrote:

satriales wrote:I heard about this. The police say they thought he had a gun in his hand, but actually all he had was a phone in his pocket.

They don't say that they just say they thought he was holding "something" they never mention that they thought it was a gun, or a knife or any kind of weapon.

When officers arrived, Loxas had returned to his house, but came to the door with the baby in his arms, police said. Peters and another officer told investigators that they saw a black object in Loxas' hand. Loxas turned to go back inside when Peters, who was standing 18 feet away at the edge of the driveway, shot him in the head with his patrol rifle, police said.

"(Loxas) was holding the baby in his left arm in front of his upper body and face. Moments later, he reached down to his right, lowering the baby, clearly exposing his head and upper body. Officer Peters responded to the movement with a single shot (to) the suspect's head. The suspect fell to the ground and the baby was rescued by officers. The suspect died instantly," Clark said.

Peters "felt he had to prevent him from re-entering the house," Clark said. "The intent was to rescue the baby." Investigators later determined that Loxas was not carrying a gun but had a cellphone in his pants pocket.

Officer Peters, who fired the fatal shot, has been involved in seven shootings over the past decade.
Six of those have been fatal, and all have been ruled justified.

Rightey wrote:Isn't Alvin moving to the US soon? RIP in peace Alvin

smurphy wrote:

Officer Peters, who fired the fatal shot, has been involved in seven shootings over the past decade.
Six of those have been fatal, and all have been ruled justified.

1cmanny1 wrote:I don't see anything wrong here, what would you do if you thought he was pulling a gun, with a kid in his arms? Get into a fire fight? Run away? Or shoot him in the head...

1cmanny1 wrote:I don't see anything wrong here, what would you do if you thought he was pulling a gun, with a kid in his arms? Get into a fire fight? Run away? Or shoot him in the head...