Man fatally shot in Phoenix homeless encampment

A man shot in Phoenix on Thursday night has since been pronounced dead, and police have one man in custody.

At about 7:08 p.m. Thursday, Phoenix police officers responded to the area of 11th Avenue and Jefferson Street after patrol officers heard the sound of gunfire. The area is part of "The Zone," where between 800 and 1,000 unhoused people reside on any given day, according to the Human Services Campus, a nonprofit organization that offers support services for those experiencing homelessness.

As officers arrived, an adult man began running toward them away from where the shooting occurred, Phoenix police spokesperson Sgt. Brian Bower said in a statement. The man was then detained and officers located a man suffering from a gunshot wound.

The wounded man was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries and was later pronounced dead at the hospital, Phoenix police spokesperson Sgt. Melissa Soliz told The Arizona Republic.

According to the police statement, once detectives responded, they learned that an argument involving multiple people took place prior to the shooting.

Additionally, witnesses in the area made statements describing self-defense by the detained man, Bower said.

No arrests have been made as an investigation remained ongoing. Once completed, the Maricopa County Attorney's Office will review the case for any criminal charges.

No other information was released.