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Peoria police fatally shot a 32-year-old man during a confrontation on Monday evening near 91st and Northern avenues. 

At around 4:15 p.m. on Monday, an officer saw a vehicle which “displayed a license plate that did not match the vehicle it displayed on” at a Shell gas station parking lot, according to a Peoria police news release.

The officer went up to the vehicle and the driver, identified as Garrett Sheppard. A few moments into the interaction, the officer and Sheppard got into a physical confrontation, police said in the release. 

The officer shot Sheppard in the torso after seeing him reach for a handgun, police said. Detectives at the scene found the handgun. 

Other officers took Sheppard into custody and provided treatment until the Peoria Fire Medical crews arrived and took over.  

Sheppard had substantial injuries and died at the location. 

The officer had scrapes to his lower body and received treatment. 

Police officials said the officer involved in the shooting has served the department for nearly three years and will be placed on paid administrative leave, per department policy. 

The officer was wearing his body camera and did have it activated during the incident.

A spokesperson for the Peoria police said an internal investigation of the shooting is being conducted. 

Law enforcement in Arizona have shot 27 people so far this year, killing at least 18, according to an analysis from the Arizona Republic. Last week, Glendale police fatally shot a man following a convenience store robbery.  

Reach breaking news reporter Olivia Munson at [email protected] or on Twitter @munson_olivia.

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