Officer-Involved Shooting in Gilbert Leaves One Man Dead Following Welfare Check
GILBERT, AZ – A routine welfare check ended in tragedy Wednesday evening after a man was fatally shot by police officers in what the Gilbert Police Department is describing as an “officer-involved shooting.” The incident occurred near the intersection of Lindsay Road and Guadalupe Road and is now under formal investigation.
According to a press release issued by the Gilbert Police Department (GPD), officers were dispatched to the area just after sunset in response to a call about a male motorist slumped over behind the steering wheel of a vehicle. Concerned citizens reported that the individual appeared unresponsive, prompting officers to check on the man’s welfare.
Upon arriving at the scene, officers located a vehicle stopped along the roadside with a male occupant still slouched in the driver’s seat. Officers approached the car and attempted to make contact by knocking on the window and attempting to rouse the man.
When the man finally responded, GPD says officers asked him to exit the vehicle to further assess the situation. It was at this point, according to the department, that the situation took a dangerous and deadly turn.
Police allege the man produced a firearm, posing what they termed an “immediate and deadly threat” to the responding officers. In response, multiple officers discharged their duty weapons, striking the suspect.
Emergency medical personnel were immediately called to the scene, but despite life-saving efforts, the male subject was pronounced dead at the location.
The deceased individual’s identity has not yet been released, pending notification of next of kin. Police have not disclosed the number of officers involved in the shooting, how many rounds were fired, or whether the suspect fired any shots in return.
No officers were injured during the encounter, according to Gilbert Police. All involved officers have been placed on administrative leave, as is standard protocol in officer-involved shootings.
The incident has sparked an investigation by the Gilbert Police Department in coordination with an outside law enforcement agency to ensure transparency and accountability. Body-worn camera footage and other evidence will be reviewed as part of the ongoing inquiry.
“This is a tragic outcome,” said a GPD spokesperson in a brief media statement. “We understand the community has questions, and we are committed to conducting a full and thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to this use of deadly force.”
Area residents reported a heavy police presence at the scene for several hours following the shooting, with roads near Lindsay and Guadalupe temporarily closed while investigators processed the area.
Some community members expressed concern about the incident, particularly as it followed what was initially described as a welfare check — typically a non-criminal, health-and-safety-related call for service.
“It’s scary. You expect the police to be checking on someone’s well-being, and then you hear there was a shooting,” said a witness who lives nearby. “We just want to understand what really happened.”
As of now, Gilbert Police are urging anyone with information, especially those who may have witnessed the events or have surveillance video from nearby, to come forward to assist with the investigation.
The case remains active, and additional updates will be released as more information becomes available.
Anyone with information can contact the Gilbert Police Department at (480) 503-6500.