Body camera footage of a police shooting at a Phoenix store has been released

PHOENIX (AZ family) — Police released body camera footage from approx fatal officer-involved shooting what happened last month at the Phoenix store.

The shooting resulted in the death of 31-year-old Essex Jackson.

GRAPHIC VIDEO WARNING: Viewer discretion is advised.

The incident occurred shortly after 8 p.m. on Sunday, October 20, when officers responded to a report of a trespass at the Dollar Tree store near 37th and Glendale avenues. The 911 caller said the man, who was reportedly carrying a large knife, appeared to be intoxicated and was scaring people inside the store.

When they arrived, a store employee pointed out the man to officers, identified as Essex, who can be seen on video walking away from them towards the warehouse. Police followed him into a warehouse and found him climbing onto a built-in freezer.

Both officers aimed their Tasers at Essex and ordered him to come downstairs. He followed their instructions until they tried to stop him, at which time he was seen pulling away and running back into the main part of the store.

The video shows one of the officers trying to hold Essex’s arm, but she lost her grip and fell onto the display shelf. The second officer then tasered him and he was seen falling to the ground.

The officer’s body-worn camera then showed Essex immediately standing up, followed by a struggle. Police say the officer’s Taser and camera were knocked to the ground.

The second officer and security guard then fight with the suspect, trying to detain him. One of the officers picked up a Taser from the floor and shocked Essex again, who then grabbed the officer’s hand.

At one point Essex shouts: “Please stop!” and he can be seen grabbing the policeman holding the stun gun by the hand. He didn’t let go and the officer fell backwards.

The video then shows Essex raising his Taser and pulling the trigger, apparently shocking both officers. Then one of the officers got up and opened fire.

Back-up officers arrived to assist Essex until fire crews arrived, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene. Police say both officers were taken to the hospital and released that night.

A knife with a fixed blade in a sheath was found at the scene.

Phoenix police say both officers are assigned to the Cactus Park police station and have seven and five years of service, respectively. The investigation into the shooting remains ongoing.

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