Report: Mesa police shot unarmed man after 9-second exchange

Records obtained by The Arizona Republic on Sunday indicate it took less than 10 seconds for an unarmed man's encounter with Mesa police to turn violent last month.

Officer Theodore Brennan was near Alma School Road and Main Street on April 22 when 40-year-old Akbar Aziz stepped in front of his patrol car about 3 a.m., according to the police report.

Aziz was waving as though he needed help, the report said, so Brennan stopped the car, stepped out and asked Aziz to move out of the road and onto the sidewalk. Aziz responded, "I ain't going to do that" twice before charging at the officer, screaming, "Where's your gun, (expletive)?" the report said.

"As (Aziz) was attempting this frontal attack of the officer, (his) right hand went down by his side and came up in a fist-like motions consistent with a person holding a knife," police wrote. Brennan told investigators he thought Aziz was getting ready to "poke, stick or stab" him and kill him, which prompted the officer to draw his gun and fire three shots, the report said.

The incident lasted nine seconds. Aziz, later determined to be unarmed, was hospitalized for nearly two weeks.

MORE MESA NEWS: Mormon temple's redevelopment plans raise concerns

Conflicting statements

Aziz told investigators he had flagged down Brennan's car because he was afraid he was being chased by a group of men from Tucson who were going to kill him, the report said. He said the officer shot him for no reason.

Police said footage from Brennan's body camera, which The Republic has not had an opportunity to review, contradicted Aziz's statements. Investigators noted in the report that Aziz charged approximately 50 feet toward Brennan.

A witness in the area told law enforcement it appeared as though Brennan was being assaulted, according to the report.

Aziz was charged Thursday with one count of aggravated assault on law enforcement and a count of blocking a public thoroughfare.

Brennan, who has been with the department for 1.5 years, has been placed on administrative leave while officials review the shooting.

MORE MESA NEWS: Missing woman found and 'doing OK,' police say

Case remains under review

Investigators said there was an indication Aziz was "mentally disturbed" but did not elaborate in the report.

Arizona Department of Corrections records show Aziz previously served eight years in prison for aggravated assault.

Between 1995 and and 2017, he was arrested on nine felony charges, including aggravated assault against law enforcement and aggravated assault with a weapon.

He also had an outstanding warrant for criminal trespassing at the time of the shooting.

Aziz was one of at least 36 people shot by Maricopa County law enforcement this year. The case will be forwarded to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office for review.