Killing of Richard Lee Richards

On November 29, 2021, Tucson Arizona Police Department Officer Ryan Remington was off duty and working a security detail at a local store in the Midvale Park area. Richards, who was in a mobility scooter, was believed to have stolen a toolbox from a Walmart store and was reported to Remington by an employee.^[5] When asked by Remington to show a receipt for the toolbox, Richards brandished a knife.^[6] Richards reportedly stated, "Here's your receipt,"^[7] and refused Remington's orders to surrender the knife, instead continuing to move through the parking lot.^[8]

Remington followed Richards as he was moving toward a Lowe's store. According to a Walmart employee, Richards then stated, "If you want to me to put down the knife, you're going to have to shoot me." Remington responded by saying "Do not go into the store, sir." When Richards entered the store, Remington shot him nine times^[9] in his back, whereupon he fell dead from his wheelchair and was handcuffed by Remington.^[2][10][11]

On November 4, 2021 a protest was called to be held for the killing of Richards, and other police wrongdoings by a coalition of groups and individuals from Tucson who are concerned about what effect that law enforcement and their violence have on their communities.^[12]

On November 30, 2021, Remington was fired from the police department.^[13][14][15] This was because the shooting represented "a clear violation of department policy and directly contradicts multiple aspects of our use of force and training".^[16][17] On August 24, 2022, Remington was charged with manslaughter.^[18][19]

Remington pleaded not guilty after appearing in court.^[20][21] On September 19, 2022, Richards' estate filed a federal lawsuit against Remington and the city, claiming the use of excessive force and other issues.^[22][11] On December 2, 2022, Remington's lawyer argued that prosecutors had made misleading and false statements to the grand jury.^[23] The judge remanded the case back to the grand jury.^[24]

In January 2023, a second grand jury voted not to indict Remington.^[25][26] On January 17, 2023, a judge dismissed the manslaughter charge without prejudice,^[5][27] meaning that it can be re-filed.^[28] Richards' sister has attempted to sue Remington,^[29] and has spoken up in interviews.^[30][31] Remington has sued to get his job back as a police officer^[32] and has asked to be reinstated.^[33]

In January 2025, another grand jury declined to indict Remington.^[5] The Pima County grand jury rejected the case.^[34] The case was dropped on January 24.^[35]