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Phoenix police officers arrested and fired after violent traffic stop
Two Phoenix police officers, Antonio Felix and Luis Vasquez Jr., have been fired and arrested following an investigation into a violent, unreported traffic stop that occurred on August 5 in south Phoenix.
According to Phoenix Police Chief Matt Giordano, the officers allegedly smashed a vehicle window, physically assaulted a male driver and female passenger, and used a Taser on both victims. During the encounter, Vasquez reportedly punched the driver and threatened to shoot him, while the female passenger was handcuffed and restrained. The driver eventually managed to flee the scene, abandoning the vehicle in the neighboring city of Tempe.
Investigators discovered the incident through vehicle tracking systems and reports from Tempe police, who initially suspected criminals were impersonating officers because the stop was never logged in Phoenix police records. The officers also failed to activate their body-worn cameras as required by department policy.
Felix and Vasquez face multiple felony charges, including aggravated assault, kidnapping, and tampering with evidence. While Vasquez has been released from custody, Felix remains incarcerated at the Lower Buckeye Jail. The Phoenix Police Department has launched an internal audit of the South Mountain Precinct to investigate potential broader policy issues.
Entities
Antonio Felix · Luis Vasquez Jr. · Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office · Matt Giordano · Phoenix · Phoenix Police Department · South Mountain Precinct · Tempe
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A forensic examination of the Taser revealed 29 electrical discharges. kyma.com
- [● 20 SOURCES] The officers face charges including aggravated assault, kidnapping, and tampering with evidence. www.singtaousa.com · pulptastic.com · www.allaboutarizonanews.com · www.haberaktuel.com · internewscast.com · +15 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] Luis Vasquez was released from custody while Antonio Felix remained incarcerated. internewscast.com · srnnews.com · ca.news.yahoo.com · www.police1.com · www.whec.com · +2 more
- [● 20 SOURCES] The officers smashed a vehicle window, punched the driver, and used a Taser on both occupants. www.singtaousa.com · pulptastic.com · www.allaboutarizonanews.com · www.haberaktuel.com · internewscast.com · +15 more
- [● 20 SOURCES] The officers failed to report the traffic stop and did not activate their body-worn cameras. www.singtaousa.com · pulptastic.com · www.allaboutarizonanews.com · www.haberaktuel.com · internewscast.com · +15 more
- [● 20 SOURCES] Two Phoenix police officers, Antonio Felix and Luis Vasquez, were fired and arrested. www.singtaousa.com · pulptastic.com · www.allaboutarizonanews.com · www.haberaktuel.com · internewscast.com · +15 more