Armed Robbery/Officer Involved Shooting

Date: 01-18-10 approximately 0400 hours

Location: 2828 W. Weldon/Lacey’s Gentlemen’s Club

Victim: White, female, 25 years of age

Victim: Hispanic, female, 26 years of age

Victim: White, male, 40 years of age

Suspect: White male, 33 years of age (deceased/NOK not notified)

At approximately 4:00 a.m., on January 18th 20010, Phoenix Police officers were called to Lacey’s Gentlemen’s Club in response to an armed robbery. Two officers arrived at the front of the business while two others took positions near a wall on the northeast corner of the club. The officers to the front observed the club’s manager exiting the front of the club with the suspect who appeared armed with a handgun. The suspect pulled the manager back inside the building upon seeing police.

The officers at the rear of the building observed the female victims on the roof and assisted them to safety. Moments later, the manager was observed running on the roof, followed by the suspect. The suspect fired guns shots at the manager and one Phoenix Police officer fired his service weapon at the suspect. The suspect disappeared from the roof and the manager was removed to safety. The three victims were the only persons inside the club at the time of this incident.

Officers learned from the victims that the suspect had entered the club and requested a private dance. The victim (#1) provided the service and the suspect solicited sex from the victim. When the victim refused, the suspect became extremely angry. The victim and the manager attempted to appease the suspect but he left the club. Moments later the suspect returned with a handgun and demanded money from the victims. The female victim fled the area to the roof and was able to call for police assistance.

Officers secured the perimeter of the building and a short while later smoke could be seen coming from the building, the result of a fire which had started inside. The fire did not spread and was apparently extinguished by a sprinkler system.

The Phoenix Police Special Assignments Unit arrived on scene and, after failing to make contact with the suspect inside, entered the building. The club was still smoke filled and, after a careful search, SAU was able to locate the suspect in the manager’s office. The suspect was lying on the floor and unresponsive. Phoenix Fire paramedics were called in and, at around 0710 a.m., the suspect was pronounced deceased.

The investigation reveals the suspect died from a self inflicted gunshot wound. There is no evidence at this time that the suspect was struck by gunfire from the police officer. None of the victims involved were injured.

This investigation is continuing and I will provide updates as they are received.

Thanks you for your attention.

Detective James Holmes

Phoenix Police Department