Suspect Shoots Cop In The Chest, His Radio Absorbs The Bullet. Cop Returns Fire, Suspect Was Not As Lucky

Phoenix police on Thursday released body camera footage showing the fatal shooting of Xavier Rovie, whose Jan. 6 death after firing at an officer marked the first Phoenix police shooting of 2020.



Two police officers tried to stop 28-year-old Rovie as he was riding a bicycle near First Avenue and Jackson Street in downtown Phoenix because he was "conducting a variety of traffic violations," Phoenix police spokeswoman Sgt. Maggie Cox said that evening.



The man refused and ran away, prompting a chase that led to a struggle over Rovie's weapon, Cox said.



Rovie eventually fired "at least one round" at an officer, who was shot in the chest but not injured because his vest and radio stopped the bullet, Cox said.



The two officers were not identified but were described as a 27-year-old employed by the department for 3½ years and a 32-year-old employed by the department for 4 years.



Rovie's record goes back to 2009 and shows convictions for theft and assault, fleeing from police in a stolen car and aggravated assault.