THE THIN BLUE LINE
This is an update to a December 2021 Discussion on NV titled:
Police Officer Fired After Shooting Man in Wheelchair 9 Times in the Back
Richard Lee Richards, 61, had been accused of stealing a toolbox from Walmart when an employee contacted an off-duty Tucson police officer who was working a special duty assignment at the store, according to a statement from Tucson Police Chief Chris Magnus.
Ryan Remington, an officer for four years in Tucson, joined the Walmart employee in the parking lot and followed Richards while “attempting to gain his cooperation,” the police chief said in a statement.
“According to the employee, he caught up with Mr. Richards outside as he fled the store and asked to see a receipt for the toolbox. Instead of providing the receipt, Mr. Richards brandished a knife and said, ‘Here’s your receipt.’”
One thing led to another, Richards started to head into a Lowe’s store, Remington tells him not to enter the store, Richards continues, Remington shoots Richards in the back 9 times, Richards falls out of his chair and Remington handcuffs the man.
Former police officer Ryan Remington, who was fired from the Tucson Police Department earlier this year, is scheduled to appear in court next week for an arraignment hearing, Pima County Attorney Laura Conover said Thursday. “Our criminal prosecutors conducted a preliminary review to determine what additional aspects of the incident required further investigation to do this case justice,” Conover said. “By early summer, it became clear we would begin the work to convene a grand jury to seek criminal charges.”
The investigation into the shooting was guided by “a team of seasoned former prosecutors” outside of Pima County to help county prosecutors move forward with the process, Pima County Attorney Laura Conover said during a news conference.
Remington’s attorney, Mike Storie, told Arizona Public Media his client would enter a plea of not guilty. He also described the case as ridiculous and said Remington would be appealing his termination from the police department.
