Phoenix, AZ – Newly released video footage has unveiled the dramatic events at a local Phoenix fast food outlet last month, where a confrontation between police and a 62-year-old armed man culminated in his death. The Phoenix Police Department made the video public on Thursday, showing scenes from both officers’ body cameras and surveillance systems within the Whataburger restaurant, where the incident occurred.
The situation began to unfold just after 11:20 a.m. on December 18, when emergency calls reported a man, later identified as Marion Douglas Joyner, entering the restaurant armed with a rifle. According to police, Joyner instructed several employees and at least one patron present inside to exit the building as he wandered around with the weapon.
Police who responded encountered Joyner in a tense standoff that lasted approximately 20 minutes. During this time, Joyner exited the restaurant briefly, brandishing his firearm towards the sky. It was reported that he aimed at an overhead police helicopter. Joyner subsequently re-entered the establishment and fired on the officers through the windows on three occasions, prompting return fire from law enforcement on two instances.
The turning point of the incident occurred when Phoenix Police deployed a drone inside the restaurant. Sgt. Brian Bowers explained during a critical incident briefing that Joyner reacted to the drone by raising his rifle, which led to police outside shooting and fatally wounding him.
Five officers, who are stationed at the Cactus Park Precinct and possess between two to 24 years of service, fired at Joyner over the course of the confrontation. Following the shooting, officers from the Special Assignment Unit entered the Whataburger to confirm no other individuals were inside before attempting life-saving measures on Joyner. Despite these efforts, when Phoenix Fire Department personnel arrived, they declared him dead at the scene.
Subsequent to the incident, the police have confirmed that no officers sustained injuries during the exchange, although the suspect’s gunfire did damage a patrol car. An administrative investigation into the shooting has commenced, with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office actively reviewing the case to determine the appropriateness of the police response.
This event raises important questions about police tactics and the use of drones and other technology in law enforcement responses. It also underscores the ongoing national debate over how officers handle potentially lethal confrontations. As this case continues to be analyzed both administratively and in public discourse, it highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement in managing situations involving armed individuals while ensuring public safety.
The aftermath of this incident continues to reverberate throughout the community as citizens and officials alike await further analysis and conclusions from ongoing investigations to better understand the circumstances and law enforcement reactions in such critical incidents.