Tucson police officer fired after fatal shooting of suspect

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TUCSON, Arizona (AP) – A Tucson police officer was released after he was accused of shooting and killing a shoplifting suspect in a wheelchair nine times after the man waved a knife, authorities said Tuesday.

Police announced at a press conference that officer Ryan Remington had been fired for excessive use of force.

Authorities said Richard Lee Richards, 61, died on the scene and the shooting was taped on Remington’s body camera.

Tucson Police Chief Chris Magnus said he was “deeply concerned and concerned” about Remington’s actions and the case is under review by the Pima County Attorney’s Office.

“His use of lethal force in this incident is a clear violation of department policy and directly contradicts several aspects of our use of force and training,” said Magnus.

Tucson Mayor Regina Romero said in a statement that Remington’s actions were “unscrupulous and unjustifiable,” and prosecutors have their full support in their investigation.

Tucson attorney Mike Storie, who represents Remington, said in a statement that his client “had no non-lethal options.”

“He had a taser, but he couldn’t use it in his mind because he felt it wasn’t the right spacing to use the wheelchair between him and Richards,” said Storie.

Magnus said Remington, a four-year veteran, was on “special duty, basically a security detail” Monday night at the Walmart store in Midvale Park Mall.

A Walmart loss prevention agent told Remington that a man in a motorized wheelchair allegedly stole a tool box from the store.

According to police, Remington and the clerk followed the man outside and asked for a receipt.

Richards reportedly said, “Here’s my receipt,” pulled out a knife and continued to a nearby hardware store.

Remington allegedly ordered Richards to drop the knife and not enter the store, but the suspect ignored the officer before he was fatally shot and fell out of his wheelchair.

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