Queen Creek police release critical incident briefing for Feb. 10 shooting: what to know

Queen Creek Police Department released a Critical Incident Briefing on July 9, 2026, for a Feb. 10, 2026 officer-involved shooting. In the briefing, QCPD says the video is an update on information investigators had at the time and also explains why some residents in the Ironwood Crossing area received shelter-in-place announcements and an emergency alert during the search for an armed suspect.

Why some Ironwood Crossing residents received shelter-in-place and emergency alerts

QCPD says the incident began Tuesday afternoon when QCPD responded to an agency assist request from the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO). PCSO initially responded to a reported hit-and-run involving a stolen vehicle, and officers were told the driver fled in another vehicle believed to be headed toward Queen Creek.

QCPD reports that at approximately 5:20 p.m., officers observed an individual walking westbound on Queen Creek Road near the hit-and-run area. Officers attempted to make contact, but the individual fled on foot and jumped into a residential backyard.

As officers searched, QCPD says 911 operators began receiving calls from residents in the Ironwood Crossing neighborhood, near Spine Tree Avenue and Joshua Tree Avenue, reporting a male subject moving through backyards and attempting to make contact with them. QCPD and PCSO worked together to secure the immediate area and establish a containment perimeter, with assistance from a PCSO helicopter.

QCPD also says officers learned the individual—later identified as 23-year-old Gaven Johnson—had active felony warrants for probation violations and prior violent offenses. QCPD further says officers were advised Johnson reportedly threatened to “shoot it out with the cops,” and that a resident shared home camera footage with an officer that appeared to show Johnson armed with a handgun.

Because of the criminal history and confirmation that he was armed, QCPD says officers issued shelter in place announcements over patrol vehicle PA systems and sent a RAVE emergency alert to residents in the immediate area. QCPD says officers also made announcements advising Johnson he was under arrest and instructing him to come out with his hands up and empty. QCPD says its Special Assignments Unit (SAU) and patrol K9 team responded to assist.

What QCPD says happened just before the shooting

QCPD’s briefing states that just after 7 p.m., officers searching a backyard in the 1300 block of west Joshua Tree Avenue located what they initially believed was a dog underneath a tarp or mat-like object. QCPD says that after officers shined a light on the object, they identified what appeared to be Johnson hiding beneath it.

QCPD says officers issued multiple verbal commands for Johnson to show his hands, but he did not comply. The briefing says a K9 alerted to his presence and moved underneath the tarp or mat-like object, while officers observed Johnson moving his arm while holding a handgun—at which point QCPD says the officer-involved shooting occurred.

QCPD reports that officers detained Johnson and recovered a loaded handgun. The briefing says preliminary information indicates Johnson discharged his weapon, and that investigators recovered a spent cartridge casing and a copper jacket fragment at the scene.

QCPD says one QCPD officer sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital, where he was later released. QCPD says two additional officers sustained injuries and were treated at the scene. QCPD says the K9 was not injured. QCPD also says no PCSO deputies were injured and no deputies discharged their weapons during the incident. QCPD says Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:27 p.m.

Investigation and review: what QCPD says is happening next

QCPD says the incident is being investigated by the Mesa Police Department as part of the East Valley Critical Incident Response Team (EVCIRT) and is being reviewed by the Pinal County Attorney’s Office. QCPD also emphasizes that no determinations have been made at this time, so the briefing should be read as an update on what investigators said they knew then—not a final conclusion.

QCPD also points residents to broader critical-incident review materials. For context on what those reviews generally look at, the City of Mesa’s critical incident review framework describes an approach intended to evaluate use of force and determine whether there are lessons learned, including possible training or policy recommendations after an administrative review.

Where to follow official updates

For the most up-to-date official postings connected to the Feb. 10 officer-involved shooting, check QCPD’s News and Updates page. That hub is where QCPD lists the incident entry and any follow-up communications.

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