Phoenix police have identified the officer who shot and killed a man during a confrontation at a Phoenix mobile-home park last month.

Officer Shawn Magness, 33, an 8½ -year veteran of the force, was one of two officers who were confronted by a man on March 23 inside a home at the Western Acres Mobile Home Park near 65th Avenue and Van Buren Street, police said.

Officers were called to the home by a woman who said her son was becoming agitated. Responding officers contacted the man, Francisco Valdez, 24, inside the home, police said. During that encounter, according to police, the man ran into another room and returned to confront them with a knife. Police said Valdez approached one of the officers, who fell over a couch as he retreated. Valdez kept approaching him, forcing Magness to fire at the man, police said.

The other officer was identified as a 22-year-old with less than one year with the Phoenix Police Department. He was not identified.

Police said Valdez had an outstanding felony warrant for a parole violation. Detectives also learned from family members that Valdez had made statements to them indicating he would not go back to prison and would fight police if they contacted him, according to Phoenix police.

However, Valdez’s mother has publicly questioned why officers were forced to shoot and kill her son, saying she called them hoping they would be able to help him.

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