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Surprise police said a man was fatally shot as a result of an officer-involved shooting Wednesday.
The incident occurred at 11:39 a.m. near El Mirage and Bell roads, where police responded to a welfare check call at a business in the area, according to Sgt. Tim Klarkowski.
The nature of the call was not known, other than it came from a resident.
After their arrival, one officer came in contact with a man in his 50s with a knife. During the encounter, the officer discharged his service weapon, killing the man, Mr. Klarkowski said, adding shots were fired around 11:50 a.m.
Police on Thursday identified the man as George M. Pappas, 61, of Surprise.
The business was open at the time of the shooting, but was closed while police investigated.
“Our first and foremost concern is making sure the public is aware that there is no danger to them,” Mr. Klarkowski said. “This is not somebody who’s out and threatening the community at large anymore.”
No other people were injured, police said.
Mr. Klarkowski said it is unknown if anyone witnessed the shooting.
The Surprise Fire-Medical Department Crisis Response Team responded to assist people in the area.
Police are investigating the incident as an officer-involved shooting. Information other than the man’s name was not released Thursday.
A records check with the Marciopa County Superior Court and Arizona Department of Corrections does not list any prior criminal activity for anyone with the name George Pappas.
According to Maricopa County Assessor’s Office records, a single man with the name George Pappas was conveyed a deed to a unit in the Springs Condominium, which is in the same location of where the incident occurred.
Businesses in the area include a restaurant, a Chevron gas station, and several residential complexes and places of worship.
Anyone with information on this or any other incident in Surprise can call the department’s tip-line at 623-222-8477.
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