Phoenix, Arizona – A Phoenix Police officer is recovering in the hospital after being violently attacked and stabbed by a suspect accused of trespassing at a QuikTrip early Sunday morning. The incident occurred at a gas station near 17th Avenue and Bell Road around 1 a.m. on April 7. According to the Phoenix Police Department, the officer was initially responding to escort an unwanted man from the store when the suspect pulled out a knife and attacked him.
Store employees intervened and subdued the suspect before more officers arrived to take him into custody. The suspect was hospitalized for medical issues unrelated to the incident. The injured officer, who has not been identified but has been with the department for about six months, sustained serious injuries after being stabbed in the neck. Fortunately, his injuries are not life-threatening.
Interim Phoenix Police Chief Michael Sullivan expressed gratitude for the officer’s stability and recovery, condemning the violent attack. The community is urged to keep the officer in their thoughts as he continues to recuperate in the hospital. The situation could have been much graver, as the officer’s stab wounds were just millimeters away from a potentially fatal outcome.
Phoenix Police Commander Matt Siekmann reported that issues in the area where the incident occurred are not uncommon, with officers regularly addressing various quality of life and criminal issues in the vicinity. The injured officer had previously served as a volunteer before joining the force.
The suspect will face multiple felony charges once released from the hospital, as confirmed by Phoenix Police Sgt. Phil Krynsky. QuikTrip spokesperson Aisha Jefferson released a statement emphasizing the company’s commitment to safety for its employees and customers and expressing gratitude for the swift response by law enforcement and store staff in apprehending the suspect.
This incident comes shortly after another Phoenix Police officer was shot during an armed robbery on March 29, with three individuals arrested in connection to the crime a few days later. The Police department implores the community to stand against such violence and support law enforcement in their efforts to maintain public safety.