In the early morning hours of a Thursday in Phoenix, Arizona, the life of 31-year-old Martin Eli Tagaban was cut short by an act of violence. On May 26, 2016, police were dispatched to a neighborhood near 35th Avenue and Roeser following reports of gunshots. Upon their arrival, they discovered the body of a male victim, later identified as Tagaban, inside a residence.
It was determined that he had died from an apparent gunshot wound.
The investigation into the shooting quickly pointed towards a person of interest. Through witness statements, authorities identified a 34-year-old friend of Tagaban as the primary suspect in the homicide. A search for the individual was initiated, and he was located a short time later in the vicinity of Southern Avenue and 35th Avenue.
When officers attempted to apprehend the suspect, the situation escalated. The man resisted arrest and, in a critical turn of events, brandished a firearm, pointing it at the officers. Faced with an imminent threat, the police discharged their weapons, striking the suspect. No officers were harmed during the confrontation.
The 34-year-old suspect sustained serious injuries from the officer-involved shooting and was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. His actions led to a significant police presence in the area, resulting in the temporary closure of Southern Avenue between 31st and 35th Avenues as the investigation into both the homicide and the subsequent police shooting was conducted.
