Arizona Officer Fired for Shooting, Killing Man in Wheelchair Wielding a Knife

A Tucson police officer is being fired for shooting and killing a man in a wheelchair who was holding a knife. Officials say the officer violated the department’s policy on the use of deadly force.

Officer Ryan Remington was working a special off-duty assignment at a Walmart when he was approached by an employee who reported that a man in a wheelchair had just stolen a toolbox. The man was later identified as 61-year-old Richard Lee Richards.

When confronted by Remington, Richards pulled out a knife and rolled across the parking lot and towards the garden center of a Lowes. Remington asked the man to surrender the knife, but he refused.

Remington followed the man across the parking lot and fired nine times as Richards entered the Lowes. Richards was struck in the back and side, and he fell out of his chair onto the ground.

Officers rendered aid, but Richards was pronounced dead at the scene.

In a press conference Tuesday, TPD Chief Chris Magnus said he was “deeply disturbed” by Remington’s action. 

“His 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. As a result, the department moved earlier today to terminate officer Remington,” he said.

Remington and his lawyers with the Tucson Police Officers Association accused the police department of releasing an edited version of the incident.

“What you saw was the police department’s edited version of this event, which was cut and pasted pieces of video of this event,” Mike Storie, Tucson Police Officers Association attorney, told KGUN.

Storie also said that Remington thought his use of force was “appropriate at the time he used it and he still does.”

Remington’s firing was effective on December 7, but he’s still facing the possibility of criminal prosecution.

Tucson Mayor Regina Romero called his action’s “indefensible” and gave her “full support” to the investigation of the Pima County Attorney’s Office.

“The actions of the officer involved in last night’s deadly shooting are unconscionable and indefensible,” she said. “The County Attorney’s Office has my full support as they proceed with their investigation. It is moments like this that test our resolve to ensure justice and accountability. We owe this to all Tucsonans. I ask our community to remain calm and be patient as investigations ensue.”