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Phoenix man killed by officers had called 911 about himself, police say
Body-camera footage shows the Oct. 10 shooting of Andre Ramirez at a south Phoenix apartment complex. Police say Ramirez raised a replica BB gun; his family is calling for more crisis-response and de-escalation resources.
Phoenix police released body-camera video Friday showing officers fatally shooting Andre Ramirez at a south Phoenix apartment complex after, police say, he raised a replica BB gun toward them. Detectives later determined Ramirez himself had made the 911 call that brought officers to the scene, according to police.
Officers were dispatched around 12:30 p.m. Oct. 10 to the complex on Sunland Avenue, east of Central Avenue and south of Roeser Road. The caller reported that a man was walking around with a handgun and a knife, mumbling and unsettling residents, but said the man had not specifically threatened anyone. Police said they learned after entering Ramirez’s apartment that he had placed the call.
The released recordings from three officers show them positioned near two marked police SUVs, with firearms drawn; one officer also carried a PepperBall launcher. As Ramirez emerged from an apartment, officers shouted for him to raise his hands and drop the gun. Police say an officer fired at least six PepperBalls, then another officer fired six or seven rounds after Ramirez raised the weapon. Police said Ramirez lifted the gun again while on the ground, prompting two officers to fire about 10 more rounds combined.
Ramirez was taken to a hospital, where he died. Police said the weapon was a replica BB gun. No officers were injured. The available information does not include a response from Ramirez’s family about the police account of the shooting.
Ramirez’s family planned a vigil for 5 p.m. Saturday at Aguila Park in Laveen to honor his life. They also called for greater support and more de-escalation resources for people experiencing mental health crises.