Ex-Officer Indicted For Fatally Shooting Shoplifting Suspect In Wheelchair

A former Arizona police officer has been indicted for fatally shooting a shoplifting suspect who was in a wheelchair.

Ryan Remington, 32, a former officer with Tucson Police Department was charged with manslaughter for fatally shooting 61-year-old Richard Lee Richards outside a Walmart store on Nov. 30, 2021, NBC News reported.

Remington was off-duty and working as a security guard at a Walmart when the fatal shooting happened. A loss prevention employee informed Remington that a man in a motorized wheelchair was suspected of stealing a toolbox, and the duo followed Richards through the parking lot.

When Remington asked Richards for the receipt of the toolbox, he reportedly brandished a knife and said "Here's your receipt". As Richards moved to a nearby Lowes store, Remington reportedly warned him not to go into the store. However, Richards reportedly told him: "If you want me to put down the knife, you're going to have to shoot me."

While Richards was going to enter the store, Remington shot him nine times in his back. Video footage of the incident shows Richards falling out of his wheelchair and Remington handcuffing him while his body was on the ground.

Following an internal investigation, Remington was terminated from the service for the use of excessive force during the incident.

The court has scheduled Remington to appear for an arraignment hearing in the coming week, Pima County Attorney Laura Conover said. If convicted, he would face sentencing of three to 12-1/2 years in prison.

Meanwhile, John Bradley, Richards' lawyer said they would be filing separate civil lawsuits in the coming weeks, NY Post reported.

"To be very clear, I am deeply disturbed and troubled by Officer Remington's actions. His use of deadly force in this instance is a clear violation of department policy and directly contradicts multiple aspects of our use of force and training," Tucson Chief Chris Magnus said after the bodycam video of the incident was released in December.

However, Remington's lawyer, Mike Storie claimed that Remington opened fire as he "perceived a threat" to a Lowe's employee and he did not have "non-lethal options."

"He did have a Taser, but in his mind, he couldn't use it because he didn't feel he had the proper spread to deploy it, with the wheelchair between him and Richards," Storie said.