Tucson Police Officer Fired After Probe of Fatal Shooting

An Arizona police officer was fired on Wednesday after the department completed its internal investigation into the shooting that killed 61-year-old Richard Lee Richards in November, the Arizona Republic reports. Surveillance video of the Nov. 29 shooting shows Richards, 61, entering a Lowe's store in a wheelchair before an officer, identified as Ryan Remington, fires his gun nine times at Richards' back and side. Richards was pronounced dead shortly afterward. Remington was working off-duty as a security officer at Walmart. Before Richards entered the Lowe's, a Walmart employee had reported Richards was suspected of shoplifting a toolbox. When asked to show a receipt, the Walmart employee told police that Richards pulled out a knife and said, "Here's your receipt."

The following day, the police department began the process of firing Remington. He was terminated on Wednesday, more than a month later and a day shy of his fifth anniversary with the department. Remington could appeal the department's decision within 10 days, though it's unclear if he would. "To be very clear, I am deeply disturbed and troubled by officer Remington's actions," Tucson Police Chief Chris Magnus said. "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." The shooting happened a day after Tucson police announced it was investigating another incident involving an off-duty officer who restrained two women on the ground outside a restaurant.