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Charles Back

Age : 69

Gender : Male

Race : White

Date : 02/14/2026

Location : Apache Junction

City : Apache Junction

County : Pinal

State : Arizona

Agency : Apache Junction Police Department

Officer(s) :Unknown

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during disturbance with BB gun replica

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 02/15/2026, Apache Junction police officers responded around 7:30 p.m. to a disturbance call involving a woman yelling and a man believed to be armed near Superstition Boulevard and Ironwood Road. Officers located a vehicle matching the caller’s description and attempted to speak with 69 year old Charles Back after he returned to the area. During the encounter, Back appeared to be holding and raising what officers believed was a real firearm, prompting officers to open fire. Investigators later determined the object was a black BB gun. Back died from gunshot injuries at the location. The Mesa Police Department, as part of the East Valley Critical Incident Response Team, took over the investigation and later publicly identified him.

 

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.azfamily.com/2026/02/17/authorities-identify-suspect-killed-apache-junction-police-shooting/
https://www.azfamily.com/2026/02/15/person-dead-after-officer-involved-shooting-apache-junction/
https://www.12news.com/article/news/crime/1-dead-after-shooting-involving-police-in-apache-junction/75-e25ebc8a-a92a-4c95-8edf-91b47c27ed02