By Associated Press - Monday, February 1, 2021

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) - Authorities have identified a man shot and wounded by Glendale police officers after threatening them with a homemade spear.

Glendale police say 23-year-old Alexander Mear was listed in stable condition Monday at a hospital.

Mear is facing at least two counts of aggravated assault. It was not immediately known if he had an attorney.



According to investigators, officers responded to a threatening 911 call Saturday night from a man who stated that he had a gun and “wanted to shoot cops.”

Police spokesman Juan Santiago says officers arrived on the scene just north of downtown Glendale and confronted a man matching the description.

Police said the man appeared erratic and made threatening comments toward the officers. He then charged at them with a wooden spear that was about 4 feet (1.2 meters) long.

When the suspect ignored commands to drop the weapon, an officer fired several shots at him.

Mear was taken to the hospital with critical injuries.

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Santiago says detectives are reviewing body camera footage.

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