Phoenix police name 39-year-old woman wounded in officer-involved shooting during west Phoenix arrest attempt
Identification released five days after February 5 encounter
Phoenix police have identified the woman wounded in a Feb. 5 officer-involved shooting in west Phoenix as Valarie Marie Corona, 39. Police released her name in an update dated Feb. 10, 2026, after initially withholding identification while the investigation began.
The shooting occurred near 7200 West Thomas Road, in the area of 72nd Drive and Merrell Street, during an operation involving officers assigned to the Fugitive Apprehension and Street Crimes Unit. Police said Corona was located in the driver’s seat of a vehicle with an adult male passenger.
What police say happened during the stop
Police said officers were attempting to take Corona into custody based on an outstanding search warrant connected to a homicide investigation. Investigators have not publicly disclosed details of the underlying homicide case, including the date of the alleged offense, the suspected role Corona is believed to have played, or whether additional arrests are expected.
According to the police account, officers used their vehicles to prevent Corona’s vehicle from leaving the area. The male passenger was ordered to exit and complied. Police said Corona did not comply with commands to exit the vehicle. Officers then used a less-lethal tool in an effort to gain compliance.
Police said Corona then armed herself with a handgun and pointed it at officers, after which an officer fired, striking her.
Police said officers removed Corona from the vehicle and rendered aid until Phoenix Fire Department personnel arrived. She was transported to a hospital and, as of the Feb. 10 update, remained in stable condition. Police said no officers were injured.
Oversight and investigative next steps
The investigation is being led by the Arizona Department of Public Safety’s Major Incident Division, a standard procedure in many officer-involved shootings intended to provide an external investigative review. The case remains active, and authorities have indicated that additional details are being withheld as part of the ongoing inquiry.
Key facts released to date
- Date/time: Feb. 5, 2026, about 3:50 p.m.
- Location: near 7200 W. Thomas Road (72nd Drive and Merrell Street area)
- Person identified: Valarie Marie Corona, 39
- Reported status: hospitalized; stable condition as of Feb. 10
- Investigating agency: Arizona DPS Major Incident Division
Authorities have not released the officer’s identity, the number of rounds fired, or any body-worn camera timelines. Those details often emerge later through investigative findings and public-records processes.