Fatal Police Shootings in Arizona: Key Statistics and Analysis
Police officers in Arizona have a duty to serve and protect the community. Unfortunately, there are times when they abuse their authority and use force that is excessive or not warranted by the situation. When this happens, citizens can suffer serious injuries or even lose their lives. In 2024, Arizona was among the top five states with the highest reported fatal police shootings.
When a loved one has been killed in a police shooting, families are left with unanswered questions, emotional trauma, and financial challenges associated with a sudden loss. Police Brutality Center connects families with civil rights lawyers who can offer guidance through the complex legal process and support as they pursue compensation and justice.
Attorneys that work with Police Brutality Center may be able to assist you.
"*" indicates required fields
Content Last Updated: February 3, 2026
Key Takeaways
- More than 88% of Arizona police violence victims were fatally shot between 2020 and 2024.
- Arizona has consistently ranked as one of the top states with the most fatal police-involved shootings.
- Police Brutality Center connects families with civil rights lawyers who can offer guidance through the complex legal process and support as they pursue compensation and justice.
Overview of Fatal Police Shootings in Arizona
Mapping Police Violence, a project of the nonprofit police reform advocacy group Campaign Zero, reports that between 2020 and 2024, over 255 people were killed by police in Arizona.
For years, Arizona has consistently ranked as one of the top states with the most police-involved shootings. In 2024, Arizona ranked fourth nationally.
Recent Statistics and Trends in Arizona Police Shootings: 2020 – 2024
In recent years, police violence in Arizona has generally trended downward. However, instances of police shootings have varied greatly and with no apparent consistent pattern. Here is a brief breakdown of the past five years using Mapping Police Violence data:
- 2024: 51 killed by police, 47 caused by shooting
- 2023: 56 killed by police, 44 caused by shooting
- 2022: 58 killed by police, 50 caused by shooting
- 2021: 42 killed by police, 39 caused by shooting
- 2020: 49 killed by police, 46 caused by shooting
Demographics of Victims
Based on data collected from 2013 to 2025, Mapping Police Violence reports that Black individuals are at the highest risk of being killed by police compared to other demographics. Indigenous people follow in second place, and Hispanic individuals are in third place for risk.
The following are the demographics of shooting victims from 2020 to 2024:
- Black: 30
- Indigenous: 8
- Hispanic: 75
- White: 87
- Unknown race: 26
The ages of 15 victims are unknown. From the available information, the youngest victim was 15 years old, and the oldest was 82. Ninety-five percent of the victims were identified as male.
Geographic Hotspots for Fatal Police Shootings in Arizona
Among the 50 largest cities in the United States, Mapping Police Violence ranks Phoenix, Arizona, as having the seventh highest rate of people killed by police in 2024. The rate per 1 million population is 8.7.
Between 2020 and 2024, the top three Arizona cities with the most deadly police shootings are:
- Phoenix: 58 fatal shootings
- Tucson: 29 fatal shootings
- Mesa: 18 fatal shootings
The Phoenix Police Department is the largest law enforcement agency in Arizona.
Notable Arizona Police Shootings
Here are a few high-profile Arizona police shooting cases:
- Loreal Tsingine: A Winslow police officer fatally shot the 27-year-old Navajo woman in March 2016 after police suspected her of shoplifting and confronted her. In a November 2016 article, The Arizona Republic reported that Loreal was shot twice in the front upper torso area and twice in her back. The officer involved in her shooting resigned at the end of October of that year. However, he was never charged with her death.
- Ryan Whitaker: A Phoenix police officer responded to Ryan’s apartment in response to a neighbor’s complaint of an alleged domestic disturbance. Ryan opened the door while holding a gun and stepped outside. Video footage of the incident reportedly shows Ryan placing the weapon on the floor while putting his hands up. He was shot in the back by the officer. According to local news reports, the officer involved was terminated in July 2021 but later reinstated by the city’s civil service board.
- Daniel Shaver: In 2016, a Mesa police officer fatally shot Daniel in a hotel hallway after reports indicated that a man was pointing a rifle out of a hotel window. Daniel, a pest-control worker from Texas, was in Mesa for a work-related trip. He reportedly had a pellet gun in his hotel room that he used for his job. The Arizona Republic reported that body camera footage showed Daniel in the hallway on his knees, unarmed and begging for his life. The city reached an $8 million settlement with Daniel’s wife and a $1.5 million settlement with his parents.
Legal and Policy Developments of Police in Arizona
In February 2025, the Phoenix Police Department announced the implementation of a new “Use of Force” policy. This policy aims to clarify the circumstances under which officers are permitted to use force and outline their responsibilities before, during, and after any encounters that involve force.
That announcement came roughly a year after the Phoenix Police Department submitted a report titled “The Road to Reform” to the U.S. Department of Justice. The report addressed the DOJ’s investigation into issues such as the police department’s use of force, discriminatory policing, police misconduct, and more.
Legal Rights After a Wrongful Death Police Shooting in Arizona
In Arizona, the family of a victim of a fatal police shooting has the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit as well as a federal civil rights action. Families can seek financial recovery for funeral expenses, medical costs, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and more.
However, police brutality cases are complex and often face legal challenges, such as police immunity. It is important to have a lawyer who is experienced in wrongful police shooting cases to help navigate the legal process, thoroughly investigate the incident, and advocate for your family’s best interests in court.
Seeking Justice for Survivors of Fatal Police Shootings
If a loved one was killed in a police shooting, Police Brutality Center is here to help. We can connect you with experienced police shooting lawyers who can explain your legal options and advise you on how to pursue compensation and justice through a police shooting lawsuit.
Contact Police Brutality Center today to get legal help.