Tucson PD tases and shoots at an armed suspect with kitchen shears when he charges towards officers
By: TPD identified the man as 35-year-old Nathaniel McKowen, who was threatening to harm himself, was armed with a pair of kitchen shears, and was attempting to make enter a residence.
McKowen had previously made suicidal statements days before the incident.
As officers arrived, McKowen was found outside a residence in the parking area.
He was holding the shears toward his wrist.
Officers tried to de-escalate the situation by talking to him and asking him to put the weapon down.
McKowen ignored the officers and started walking towards East Blacklidge Drive, which is a residential street that contained passing drivers.
An officer used a less lethal PepperBall device to strike McKowen at that moment, he continued into the street.
When an officer used a less lethal PepperBall device to strike McKowen at that moment, he continued into the street.
On East Blacklidge Drive, heading toward North Palo Verde Avenue, McKowen started to sprint.
Officers chased McKowen while continuing to order him to put the weapon down. McKowen suddenly stopped, turned around, and charged at officers while holding the shears.
An officer tased McKowen. A second officer fired his department-issued weapon at the same time, but McKowen was not hit.
Officers grabbed the shears away from McKowen and handcuffed him after he had fallen to the ground after the taser was used.
McKowen was medically evaluated on scene and treated for minor injuries, not requiring transport to a hospital.
No officers or other community members were injured as a result of this incident.