“If you want me to put down the knife, you’re going to have to shoot me.” These were Richard Lee Richards’ last words before he was shot by Ryan Remington, a 32-year-old cop, last November 29, 2021. Richards was 61. 

Remington, who started working for the Tucson Police Department in 2017, was off duty, and moonlighting as Walmart security, when he became involved in the incident.  He was asked to help by a Walmart worker, who said that a man in a motorized wheelchair exited with a toolbox without paying for it. The worker approached the customer in the store’s parking lot and asked him for the item’s receipt. Richards brought out a knife and said, “Here’s your receipt.”

Remington, and another officer, who was at the scene, Stephanie Taylor, went after Richards as he attempted to enter a nearby Lowe’s. They told Richards not to enter the store. Video footage shows that Officer Remington began firing at Richards repeatedly, making him fall from his wheelchair head first. 

A total of nine shots in the back and side were delivered. Footage also shows Remington handcuffing Richards after the shooting. Richards was declared dead on the scene. 

As a result of the incident, Remington was fired.

Mayor Regina Romero said that Richardson’s actions were “unconscionable and indefensible.” 

Tucson police chief Chris Magnus was disturbed by Remington’s actions and said, “His use of force in this incident is a clear violation of department policy and directly contradicts multiple aspects of our force training.”

After nine months, a grand jury charged the Tucson ex-police officer with manslaughter. The decision was announced by Pima Country Attorney Laura Conover last Thursday. Conover said that the grand jury took a long time before arriving at the decision, because they wanted to do it “right and not rushed.” 

Richards’ family is planning to file a civil rights lawsuit against the ex-cop.

Remington’s attorney, Michael Storie, stated that the officer tried several means to prevent the situation from escalating. The number of shots fired was said to be consistent with his training. He added that Remington should not be charged with manslaughter, and that the charges are mere “legal fiction.”

Remington’s defense was that the wheelchair victim had a knife and he was a threat to the officers, and innocent bystanders. 

The grand jury disagreed. The case will now go to trial.