An attempt to stop a speeder in a Phoenix neighborhood last week ended with officers killing the driver after he fired a handgun at them, police said.

On  Feb. 25, police identified the driver as Dominic Gracia,31.  

In an earlier release, authorities stated Phoenix detectives were investigating the officer-involved shooting near 6600 South 16th Avenue that occurred about 12:35 a.m. Feb. 19.

An officer assigned to the South Mountain Precinct was patrolling the neighborhood of 16th Avenue and Atlanta Street when he saw a truck speeding in the area, according to a release from the Phoenix Police Department.

The officer followed the truck into the neighborhood of 16th and St. Anne avenues when he attempted to stop the truck. A man got out of the truck and ran into the neighborhood, leaving the truck in drive as it pulled forward toward a house, police said. The officer left the patrol car to stop the truck and established perimeter spots for responding officers.

K-9 officers began a search of the neighborhood, and police came across a “large recycling bin” on the side of a house in the 6600 block of South 16th Avenue.

“Officers confirmed the presence of a person inside the bin and started to negotiate with the man. During negotiations, the man did not comply with officers’ commands and less lethal pepper balls along with a 40mm less-lethal launcher was used,” the release stated.

“The man produced a handgun and fired it, resulting in officers’ response with gunfire.”

Phoenix Fire Department personnel pronounced the suspect dead.

No officers or community members were injured, police said.

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