Arizona authorities have released a bodycam video showing police Tucson officer Ryan Remington fatally shooting a man in a wheelchair nine times in the back, killing him over suspicion of shoplifting, local station 12News reports.
The incident took place outside a Lowe’s store, Monday night. The victim was identified as 61-year-old Richard Lee Richards.
The disturbing footage shows the victim, who was suspected of shoplifting, traveling away from officers in his wheelchair as officers tell him to stop.
But the man continued rolling his wheelchair toward the Lowe’s store at a slow pace. That’s when officer Remington opened fire on him, sticking him in the back and side. The man falls face-first out of his wheelchair. He was pronounced dead on the scene.
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Remington, a four-year veteran of the force, was immediately fired after the incident. It’s expected that he will face murder charges.
“To be very clear, I am deeply disturbed and troubled by Officer Remington’s actions,” Tucson police chief Chris Magnus said at a news conference. “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 and training.”
Remington said he confronted Richards when a Walmart employee told him that Richards had stolen a toolbox.
When Remington asked him for a receipt, Richards reportedly pulled out a knife and said, “Here’s your receipt,” according to Remington.
The knife is not visible in video from a camera in the Walmart parking lot, which shows Remington following Richards toward Lowe’s.
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero called Remington’s actions “unconscionable and indefensible.”
“The County Attorney’s Office has my full support as they proceed with their investigation,” Romero said. “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.”
Watch the video below:
I new a lady who had dementia. She use to say, they’ll shoot ya for a nickel in Tucson. Cops will shoot ya in a wheelchair for a vaca, promotion and a raise!! ⚠️Warning: Graphic Murder⚠️Tucson Police Officer Shoots Man In Chair In … https://t.co/mBeaE7NC5b via @YouTube
— Lynn Chastain (@LynnChastain2) December 1, 2021
