Phoenix officers fired, arrested after violent traffic stop

Two Phoenix police officers have been fired and arrested following an unreported traffic stop in which they allegedly assaulted a man and woman, using a Taser and physical force, during an incident on August 5 in south Phoenix. The officers, identified as Luis Vasquez Jr. and Antonio Felix, face multiple felony charges including kidnapping, aggravated assault, and evidence tampering.

According to statements from the Phoenix Police Department and prosecutors, the incident began around 11:30 p.m. on August 5 when Vasquez and Felix stopped a vehicle. The officers allegedly smashed the car's windows to force the occupants out. The female passenger reported being placed in an armbar, handcuffed, and shocked with a Taser before being put in a patrol car. The male driver stated that Vasquez punched him repeatedly in the head, face, and groin, while Felix used a Taser on him. Prosecutors allege Vasquez threatened to shoot the man, counting down from three.

The officers did not activate their body-worn cameras and did not report the stop. After the confrontation, the man managed to drive away, abandoning the vehicle in neighboring Tempe. The woman was released at the scene without her...