Phoenix officer who shot murder suspect is identified

A 20-year veteran of the Phoenix Police Department has been identified as the officer who shot and killed a homicide suspect on May 15.

Officer Chris Trapp, a member of the department's Special Assignments Unit, shot and killed Jonie Block, 27, who was holding a gun and suspected of killing a man earlier in the day in central Phoenix, police said.

On Monday, Phoenix police released more details about the encounter that led to Block's death.

Just before 6 p.m., on May 15, officers saw Block, armed and seated by herself at the Japanese Friendship Garden Park, 1125 N. Third Ave., police said.

She was threatening herself with the weapon and refusing to comply with commands by police. As officers worked to contain the area, they continued to negotiate with Block, police said.

She still refused to comply and walked north toward an open area of Margaret T. Hance Park, where people were in the area, police said.

Trapp fired at her because he feared "she was an immediate threat to citizens nearby, as well as other officers,'' police said, in a statement. 

Block discharged her own weapon at the same time, police added.

Earlier in the day, Phoenix Police responded to an apartment at 10 W Minnezona Ave., and found 55-year-old Todd Landon with multiple gunshot wounds. Police suspect Block shot and killed Landon because he would not reciprocate her romantic overtures.

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