Man Gets Shot After Charging At Female Cop With Knife in Phoenix, Arizona

 

Phoenix, Arizona — On the evening of June 14, 2020, the Phoenix Police Department responded to a volatile situation that unfolded in a grocery store parking lot near 43rd Avenue and Union Hills Drive. A report of a man threatening customers with a knife ultimately led to a police shooting, which was captured on officer body-worn camera as well as the cell phones of bystanders.

The incident began around 7:45 p.m., when a concerned citizen called 911 to report that a man, later identified as 55-year-old Jon David Brouseau, appeared to be intoxicated and was wielding a knife inside a local grocery store. According to the caller, Brouseau was acting aggressively and was making threats toward other patrons in the store, causing panic and fear among customers.

Officers from the Cactus Park Precinct were dispatched to the scene immediately. Upon arrival, they observed multiple civilians in the parking lot pointing toward a man matching the suspect's description. Brouseau had exited the store and was now roaming the parking lot, still in possession of the knife.

One of the responding officers, a female officer with one year of service, approached Brouseau and attempted to engage him verbally. As she made contact, she could clearly see that he was still armed with the knife. She issued repeated commands for him to drop the weapon. Despite multiple warnings, Brouseau refused to comply and instead began to make threatening statements, including telling the officer that he was going to kill her.

For nearly a minute, the officer maintained a cautious distance while continuing to order Brouseau to put the knife down. During this tense standoff, Brouseau’s body language became increasingly aggressive and erratic, and the situation quickly escalated. Without warning, Brouseau charged directly at the officer, knife still in hand.

Fearing for her life, the officer discharged her service weapon, striking Brouseau and stopping his advance. The shooting occurred in clear view of several witnesses, and both body camera footage and bystander cell phone videos captured the moment. The officer immediately called for backup and medical assistance.

Additional officers arrived on scene within moments. They were able to safely secure Brouseau, disarm him, and provide emergency first aid while waiting for paramedics to arrive. Brouseau was transported to a local hospital, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities later confirmed that he is expected to survive.

Once medically cleared, Brouseau is facing charges of aggravated assault on a peace officer, among other potential charges related to the disturbance inside the grocery store. No civilians or officers were injured during the incident, and police commended the officer’s ability to maintain composure under pressure.

The officer involved in the shooting remains on active duty but was placed on temporary administrative leave per departmental protocol while the incident is under review. She is assigned to the Cactus Park Precinct and had one year of service with the Phoenix Police Department at the time of the incident.

The Phoenix Police Department released a statement acknowledging the seriousness of the encounter and the importance of transparency. “This is an example of a rapidly evolving and dangerous situation where an officer was forced to make a critical decision to protect herself and others," a department spokesperson said. "We are grateful no innocent bystanders were injured.”

The investigation remains ongoing, and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office will conduct an independent review to determine whether the use of force was legally justified under Arizona law. The release of body-worn camera footage is part of the department’s continuing effort to keep the public informed and maintain accountability.