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Tucson police officer kills man in wheelchair

2021-12-01T09:48:50.798Z


A Tucson police officer was fired Tuesday after appearing in video of him fatally shooting a man in a motorized wheelchair who had been charged with shoplifting, authorities said.


Body camera footage from the Tucson Police Department shows officers approaching a man in a wheelchair who was fatally shot.

(CNN) -

A Tucson police officer was fired Tuesday after appearing in a video of him fatally shooting a man in a motorized wheelchair, authorities said.

The video, released by the Tucson Police Department, shows parts of the fatal confrontation between Officer Ryan Remington and a man in a wheelchair identified by police as Richard Lee Richards, 61.

The video shows a combination of three cameras from Monday's incident: a security camera in the parking lot of a Walmart store, a police body camera and a security camera from a Lowe's store.

Two of the videos show Richards' fatal shooting as he walked away from officers through the Lowe's parking lot.

Throughout the videos, part of the police radio communications is heard.

Richards had been charged with stealing a Walmart toolbox when an employee contacted an off-duty Tucson police officer who was working a special task at the store, according to a statement from the Tucson police chief. , Chris Magnus.

Remington, a four-year-old Tucson police officer, joined the Walmart employee in the parking lot and followed Richards as he "tried to get him to cooperate," the police chief said in a statement.

"According to the clerk, he ran into Mr. Richards outside as he was leaving the store and asked to see a receipt from the toolbox. Instead of providing the receipt, Mr. Richards brandished a knife and said, 'Here's your receipt".

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Magnus said Remington wanted Richards to stop and hand over his knife.

"Mr. Richards refused and instead continued through the Walmart and Lowe's parking lots," Magnus said.

"According to the Walmart employee, Mr. Richards said, 'If you want me to put down the knife, you'll have to shoot me.'

A second agent arrived on the scene to help Remington.

Both officers were a short distance behind Richards when they warned him not to enter the store, the chief said.

The video shows Richards approaching the entrance to Lowe's when Remington tells him, "Stay out of the store, sir."

Seconds later, the agent begins shooting at Richards, who collapses and falls from his chair to the ground.

Remington fired nine shots, hitting the man in the back and side, according to Magnus.

"Your use of deadly force in this incident is a clear violation of department policy and directly contradicts multiple aspects of our use of force training," Magnus said.

"As a result, the department acted earlier today to fire Agent Remington."

CNN contacted Remington but received no response.

Pima County Prosecutor's Office Will Review Incident, Police Chief Says

Lowe's security camera footage shows Richards lying on the ground immediately after being shot, while the officer appears to be placing his hands behind his back to handcuff him.

Remington was the only agent to unload his weapon, according to Magnus.

Medical attention was requested, "but shortly thereafter Mr. Richards was pronounced dead," the police chief said.

Magnus said the incident will be reviewed by the Pima County Prosecutor's Office.

Attorney Michael Storie, who represents Remington, told CNN that the "selected videos" presented at the press conference told only half the story.

"In any of these cases, if you cut and paste a video, it will not correctly expose the impressions and mental state of the agent, which led to the decision to use force of any kind," said Storie.

Tucson Mayor Regina Romero described the agent's actions as "inconceivable and indefensible."

He added that he supports a full investigation by the county attorney's office.

"It is moments like this that test our determination to ensure justice and accountability," the mayor said.

"We owe it to all the citizens of Tucson. I ask our community to remain calm and patient while the investigations are conducted."

Tucson

Source: cnnespanol

All news articles on 2021-12-01

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