Mesa police shoot, kill man officers said was suicidal

For the second time in a week, Mesa police said a suicidal man was shot and killed by officers during a confrontation.

The officer-involved shooting occurred late Wednesday night, Mesa Police said, in the 700 block of West Farmdale Avenue.

Police said officers were alerted to the scene at around 8:00 p.m. Negotiators were on scene when the suspect exited the house through the garage for the first time.

Police said the suspect had a gun but did not raise the weapon at officers. Police then fired rubber bullets and a percussion grenade at the man as way to force him to surrender. The suspect instead went back in the house.

Mesa Police Detective Steve Berry said the man exited a second time, and police responded by firing bean-bag rounds at him. Police said the suspect continued to approach officers and raised his weapon at authorities. One officer responded by firing his weapon at the suspect. Details on how many rounds were fired and where the suspect was hit were not available.

Mesa Police said no officers were injured, and the suspect was pronounced dead at the hospital. Police said they were dispatched to the scene after receiving a suicidal person call.

No further details were available.

On Monday, Cole Ravel, 35, died from injuries he received after Mesa police shot him Sept. 30 at an apartment complex at 1840 W. Emilita Ave. as he reportedly came after the officers with a machete.

Police said at the time of the shooting that Ravel's mother told them he had threatened to commit suicide earlier that day.

As one of the officers entered the apartment, Ravel met him with a "large machete-type" knife, police said.

The officer fell in the doorway and as he attempted to back away, Ravel advanced toward him, police said. By then two other officers had arrived and opened fire, striking him multiple times.

The officers chose not to use their Tasers on Ravel because he was too close to them, police said.

http://www.azcentral.com/community/mesa/articles/2010/10/07/20101007mesa-police-shoot-kill-man.html