TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — The attorney for the Tucson Police Officers Association said that Tucson Police Officer Ryan Remmington didn't have anything other than the taser and firearm as 61-year-old Richard Richards neared the entrance of the Lowe's.
"At some point the officer has to say, I can't let him in in this store," Tucson Police Officer's Association attorney Mike Storie said.
Storie said that the officer tried to deescalate the situation as they moved from the Walmart parking lot to the front of the Lowe's.
"This officer was trying to use the least amount of force as possible," Storie said.
The attorney said that throughout the walk, Richards was not responsive to his verbal commands.
"He literally was saying things like this is not going to end well," Storie said. "You people have taken everything from me in my life and the only way you're going to get this knife out of my hands is to shoot me."
When Richards reached the front of the Lowe's Officer Remmington shot and killed Richards. Storie said that Remmington couldn't be sure that Richards was immobile.
"So how does he know this guy can't jump out of this scooter and all the sudden charge somebody with this knife. He has no information that this is possible," Storie said.
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Greg Bradbury is a reporter for KGUN 9. Greg is a graduate of Syracuse University where he studied Broadcast Journalism and Spanish. Greg joined KGUN 9 in February 2021 as a Multimedia Journalist after working at the ABC National Desk as a Digital News Associate. Share your story ideas and important issues with Greg by emailing greg.bradbury@kgun9.com or by connecting on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
