Exclusive: Heartbroken Mom Speaks Out After Son’s Shooting by Police This Morning

A police-involved shooting is under investigation in Maricopa, following an incident at 40789 W. Portis Drive. The incident occurred just before 8 a.m. on January 29, 2025, after officers were called to assist a person in distress.

Russell Avila, 39, was shot three times by at least one officer, as confirmed by his mother, Liane Avila. The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unclear, with multiple officers responding to the scene.

Liane Avila described her son as upset after losing his job in the computer science field. Russell had experienced car trouble on his way to Texas for another job and was reportedly holding a knife, which prompted his mother to call for police assistance to help de-escalate the situation. “This was all a big mistake,” she stated.

Witness accounts reveal that officers attempted to persuade Russell to put down the knife multiple times before firing. “Four [officers] came in and two seconds later, boom boom boom,” Liane said. “He wasn’t attacking anyone. He was upset and scared.”

In line with standard protocol, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office will lead the investigation, removing the case from the Maricopa police department. The Pinal Regional Special Investigations Unit is managing the inquiry into the shooting.

By 11 a.m., a forensic unit arrived at the location, restricting access to reporters while they awaited a search warrant. The front door of the residence remained open during this time.

As of 2:15 p.m., a police spokesperson indicated that no new information was available. Later, at 3 p.m., communications from the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office directed reporters back to the Maricopa Police Department for updates.

Russell Avila was taken to Dignity Chandler for surgery, but his condition remains uncertain. His mother expressed concern over the incident, stating, “I wish police would have just taken a minute and talked to him before shooting,” as she drove to the hospital.