PHOENIX – A suspected robber drove a small U-Haul truck through heavy Phoenix traffic and a posh neighborhood and passed at least one red light on Thursday while leading police on an hour-long pursuit that ended when the man was shot.
The incident — including the moment officers rushed and shot the suspect — unfolded live online and on TV.
The Phoenix Fire Department says the suspect, who hasn't been identified, was in stable condition after being struck by a Taser and by bullets.
Authorities say the incident began in Peoria, a suburb west of Phoenix, around 4 p.m. when a man robbed a convenience store.
Witnesses reported that the robber had a gun and was seen fleeing in a small U-Haul.
Peoria police officers attempted to stop the man but he fled. Police ended their vehicle pursuit and let a helicopter take over.
When the man drove into Phoenix, police there took over the chase.
Live cameras showed the clearly marked U-Haul truck driving through heavy traffic, passing a red light and maneuvering around cars. The truck drove through a posh neighborhood in the area of Paradise Valley, passing mansions and lush green grass. The driver appeared to have lost his way in that neighborhood but eventually made it out.
He finally stopped at an intersection in north Phoenix. The man got out of the car and appeared to attempt to get inside a white SUV that drove off.
That's when several officers ran toward the suspect and fired their guns at him. The man fell to the ground and put his arms up but then quickly became surrounded by police.
No officers were injured.
Police were still investigating and the intersection was shut down late Thursday.
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