Phoenix, Arizona (PPD) — On February 25, 2023, around 2:30p.m. Phoenix Police received a 911 call about 36-year-old Matthew Sansotta driving erratically, swerving in the roadway and openly drinking alcohol while driving. The caller followed Sansotta and indicated Sansotta nearly hit a pedestrian before pulling into an apartment complex at 17617 North 9th Street. At about 2:40 p.m. officers arrived at the apartments complex and found the vehicle described by the caller backed into a parking spot. Sansotta was reclined in his seat behind the wheel. One of the officers moved up to the passenger side of the truck and noticed there was a rifle in the front console area. After having Sansotta get out of the truck officers saw a handgun in the driver’s door pocket.
Officers had Sansotta move to the back-quarter panel of the truck as they began to conduct a DUI investigation. One officer returned to his patrol vehicle to conduct a records check on Sansotta and a second officer stayed with Sansotta. A few moments later the officer sees Sansotta move toward the open driver’s door and grab the handgun. The officer grabs Sansotta from behind and the two struggled for control of the handgun. The officer doing the records check sees the commotion and comes back with his duty weapon out and fires one shot at Sansotta. After the shooting, officers provided lifesaving measures until the Phoenix Fire Department arrived on scene. Sansotta was then taken to a local hospital, where he later died. The officer involved in this incident is assigned to the Black Mountain Precinct and has over 14 years of service with the department.
News by Breaking911
