Veteran Officer Linked to Desert Passage Shooting, Confirms Sheriff

Details have emerged regarding an officer-involved shooting in Maricopa that left a man hospitalized with multiple gunshot wounds. The incident occurred Wednesday morning at a residence on Portis Road.

The individual, identified as 39-year-old Russell Avila, was reportedly armed with two knives when a Maricopa Police Department officer discharged their weapon, according to Pinal County sheriff’s spokesman J.D. Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald noted that the officer involved has not yet been named. However, he confirmed that the officer is a nine-year veteran of the force and is currently on paid administrative leave, a standard procedure following such events. The officer’s body-worn camera was activated during the incident.

On the same day, InMaricopa submitted a Freedom of Information Act request for access to the body-worn camera footage. Given the ongoing investigation, authorities indicated that it may take several months to release the footage, as they must make necessary redactions.

According to Avila’s mother, Liane Avila, her son was experiencing a panic attack after losing his job and was threatening self-harm with a knife at the time she called 911. She recalled that soon after officers arrived, the situation escalated. “Four [officers] came in and two seconds later, boom boom boom,” she stated, adding that her son was not attacking anyone, but rather was upset and scared.

Reportedly, officers instructed Russell Avila to put down the knives on four separate occasions before firing at him, ultimately striking him three times.

Avila was transported to Dignity Chandler for surgery and remains hospitalized in stable condition. He is currently in police custody, with criminal charges anticipated upon the conclusion of the investigation.