Man Shoots at Police Helicopter in Phoenix - Pilot lands in Walmart parking lot
- 17GEN4
- Mar 22
- 2 min read
The latest updates on the critical incident reported early Sunday morning (March 22, 2026) near 40th Street and Thomas Road in Phoenix (often referenced around 38th Street and Thomas Road in reports) indicate it was an officer-involved shooting.
Phoenix Police responded around 2 a.m. to reports of multiple shots fired at an apartment complex in the area. As officers investigated (including an earlier officer-involved shooting at 3135 N 38th St), a suspect in the backyard of the complex fired a handgun at a police helicopter (Air Unit A5) that arrived overhead—striking it twice according to some accounts.
The helicopter made a precautionary landing in a nearby shopping center parking lot on E. Thomas Road, but inspections showed no damage to the aircraft.
Officers then engaged, resulting in the suspect being shot. He was hospitalized with critical injuries (no fatalities reported from this specific exchange). Some community members were evacuated during the response.
The investigation is ongoing, with the Phoenix Police Department handling it as a critical incident. No further major developments (e.g., charges, releases, or briefings) appear available yet.
The name of the suspect in the March 22, 2026, officer-involved shooting near 38th/40th Street and Thomas Road in Phoenix has not been publicly released yet.
From the latest reports (primarily from ABC15 Arizona and AZFamily, updated as of March 22 afternoon/evening):
The man (described as armed) fired multiple shots at a Phoenix Police helicopter (Air Unit) after officers responded to reports of shots fired around 2 a.m. in an east Phoenix apartment complex.
He was then engaged by ground officers, shot, and transported to a hospital where he remained in critical condition (in surgery at one point) as of the last updates.
Police confirmed no injuries to officers, helicopter crew, or residents, and the helicopter landed precautionary but was not damaged.
Explicitly, authorities have stated that neither his identity nor his current condition has been released pending the ongoing critical incident investigation.
Phoenix Police typically withhold suspect names in active officer-involved shootings until after initial investigation, family notification (if applicable), or a formal Critical Incident Briefing—often including bodycam/video release. No such briefing or ID release appears available yet, even hours later into the evening.
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