Last Updated on September 27, 2022
Authorities have released body camera footage of a fatal police shooting that took place in Tucson last month. The suspect pointed a gun at officers and was aiming at a police K-9 when he was shot.
Tucson police said they were conducting surveillance on 49-year-old Francisco Javier Galarza, who was wanted in connection with a home invasion and several band robberies in the Tucson area, KPHO Phoenix reported.
On August 25, officers and Tucson SWAT members attempted to arrest Galarza in the parking lot of a Circle K gas station. When approached, he produced a handgun and attempted to flee. A K-9 unit then stopped Galarza from escaping, at which point he pointed the weapon at the dog’s head, bodycam footage shows.
The suspect was shot multiple times in the chest and was pronounced dead at the scene. No injuries were reported among arresting officers or bystanders. The police K-9 was also unharmed.
The footage, which may be disturbing to some viewers, can be watched here.
According to the Arizona Department of Corrections, Galarza had a lengthy rap sheet.
In 1992, he was sentenced to three years in prison as part of the shock incarceration program. Two years later, he was convicted of drug possession and sentenced to four years in prison.
In 2000, he was convicted of vehicle theft and sentenced to 1.5 years behind bars. A year later, he was convicted of on six counts of robbery armed and armed robbery and received an 11-year sentence. Then, in 2011, he was convicted of armed robbery and sentenced to another 7.5 years.
The Pima Regional Critical Incident Team is investigating and reviewing the shooting. The TPD’s Office of Professional Standards will conduct a separate administrative investigation to examine the actions of the officers involved, KOLD reported.