Armed man shot, killed by Mesa officers during domestic violence incident

MESA, AZ — One person is dead after a shooting involving Mesa police officers during an apparent domestic violence incident Wednesday night.

It happened near Loop 101 and Main Street at approximately 6:20 p.m.

According to police, officers were first called to the scene to investigate reports of a stabbing. When they arrived, they found a woman who had stab wounds and they transported her to a hospital where she was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Officers made contact with a man who was armed with a knife and threatening to harm himself. During negotiations, officers deployed less-lethal rounds including bean bags and pepper balls, but the suspect attempted to retreat into an apartment where a second victim was believed to be located. Officers then fired their duty weapons at the man, leading to his death at the scene.

The man has been identified as 35-year-old Brandon Franklin Kizer.

Police have only identified the two victims of the domestic violence call as Kizer’s mother and another family member.