Investigators are unsure if police-shooting victim pointed gun at officers

By Susan Carroll
The Arizona Republic
Nov. 28, 2002

PHOENIX - Investigators have not determined whether a man shot by police Tuesday had pointed a gun at officers.

Julio Torres-Beltran, 26, was holding a gun at his side when he answered the door and found police standing outside his home about 6:40 p.m. Tuesday, Phoenix police Sgt. Lauri Williams said. Police were serving a drug-related search warrant.

Officer Jason Scarpati , 29, an eight-year veteran, fired at least twice after seeing the gun, Williams said.

After the shooting, the eight officers retreated and called for everyone to leave the home. Arturo Jacob-Machado , 25, was taken into custody, Williams said.

Torres-Beltran was transported to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, where he was in stable condition Wednesday.

No drugs were found in the duplex in the 1500 block of North 14th Street. Officers confiscated two handguns from the home, Williams said. Investigators suspected Torres-Beltran was selling cocaine from the home, police said.

Police arrested Torres-Beltran and Jacob-Machado on federal firearms and immigration violations. The two men are Mexican citizens.

Administrative and criminal investigations of the shooting are under way. This is the department's 23rd officer-involved shooting this year.