Glendale man shot by police after threatening woman

A confrontation with a woman at a bank and then later at his home with Glendale police led to the death of a man Tuesday night.

Around 9 p.m., Joseph Tassinari, 63, pulled up behind a woman at a drive-thru ATM near 67th Avenue and Bell Road and began cursing and honking.

The woman pulled up and got out of her car. Tassinari then pointed a handgun at her. No shots were fired.

A passenger in her car managed to get a license plate number and turned it over to police. Police tracked Tassinari and found him at his home nearby.

He told officers he had a gun, refused to give it up and was tased before reaching into his waistband.

“As he reached for his waistband, the officer perceived that as a deadly threat,” Glendale police officer Tracey Breeden said. “[The officer] feared for his life and fired his weapon, striking the suspect.”

It’s unclear what motivated Tassarini to carry out the threat and later not comply with police.

No officers were hurt.

Per standard protocol, the officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave.