Police said a domestic violence suspect was armed with a knife when officers opened fire.
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Glendale police shot and wounded a man Wednesday morning after officers said he held a woman by the neck and pulled a knife inside a pawn shop near 67th Avenue and Bell Road.
The shooting followed a domestic violence call at the business shortly before 10:30 a.m. Police said the woman had a large cut on her hand and had signaled to the shop manager to call 911. The man survived and was taken to a hospital with injuries police described as not life-threatening.
Glendale Lt. Wade Kamman said the man and woman had entered the pawn shop before officers arrived. Police said the woman appeared to be trying to buy a firearm. “It’s still being investigated, but there was a possibility that he was not eligible to buy a firearm and she was,” Kamman said. The manager noticed the woman’s injury and saw her mouth “call 911,” police said. Officers arrived quietly and contacted the pair inside the business.
Police said the man became upset when officers told the two to separate. Investigators said he then wrapped an arm around the woman’s neck and took out a knife. One officer tried to use a less-lethal option, but police said it did not stop him. Another officer fired, striking the man. No officers were injured. The woman was also taken to a hospital for treatment of the cut on her hand and was cooperating with investigators.
The shooting drew a large police response to the strip mall, where officers taped off the pawn shop entrance and part of the parking lot. Video from the scene showed patrol vehicles and crime scene tape outside the business. Scott Repman, whose auto shop is in the same parking lot, said police arrived without lights or sirens. “It’s just a matter of seconds of the second officer coming in, you hear the gun blast,” Repman said.
The pawn shop was expected to remain closed for several hours while investigators processed the scene. Kamman said there was no ongoing threat to the public. Police had not released the man’s name, the woman’s name or the names of the officers involved as of Friday. Officials also had not said what charges the man could face after his release from medical care.
The case marked the 38th officer-involved shooting reported in Arizona this year. Glendale police said the investigation remained active, with detectives reviewing witness statements, video and evidence from inside the shop.
Author note: Last updated May 22, 2026.