hoenix, Arizona — On October 2, 2025 around 7:45 a.m., Phoenix police officers responded to a home regarding a man armed with a knife near 7th Street and Sunland Avenue. Additionally, the man, 58-year-old Victor Altamirano stated that he would confront the police if contacted. As multiple officers arrived on scene, the first responding officer contacted several family members just outside of the home. During this contact, the officer was again told that the man was armed with a knife. As this conversation took place, Altamirano, armed with a knife raised above his head, came out of the home and ran in the direction of an officer while he verbally challenged the officer. This is when the critical incident began. During this encounter, three officers used force. One officer deployed their duty weapon, another used both their less-lethal 40mm launcher and their duty weapon, and the other deployed their less-lethal pepper ball launcher. Officers rendered aid until the Phoenix Fire Department arrived and transported Altamirano to a nearby hospital, where he later died. The knife possessed by Altamirano during this incident was recovered at the scene
