This is truly disturbing. Really messed up. Some cops are just on a nut. At least this cop was actually arrested for something. I'm confused, though - why "assault with a deadly weapon" instead of any of the range of homicide or manslaughter charges they could pull up - the victim is dead, right? They should be arresting this cop for killing him - and his dog. Get that guy off the streets and disarm him for good!Lets keep an eye on this one.
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Officer Shot Dog, Sprayed and Tasered Man, Police Say (then killed him)
KPHO News
POSTED: 11:19 am MST October 6, 2010
UPDATED: 2:14 pm MST October 6, 2010
PHOENIX -- The Phoenix Police Department arrested one of its own officers on charges of assault with a deadly weapon following the shooting death of a 29-year-old man. Richard Chrisman, 36, a nine-year veteran of the force, shot and killed the man after holding a gun to his temple and yelling at him, deploying a Taser on him, hitting him in the eyes with pepper spray, and killing his dog, according to the police report. Chrisman and Officer Sergio Virgillo were called out to a domestic fight between a mother and son near Third Street and Central Avenue on Tuesday.
Police said the son, Danny Rodriguez, 29, was committing criminal damage inside his mother's trailer when they arrived. The mother said Rodriguez had argued with her, damaged her property, and that she left because she was afraid he would assault her, according to the police report.
The report outlines this series of events:
The officers went to the trailer upon the mother's request and Chrisman entered to speak with Rodriguez.
Virgillo was behind Chrisman.
Rodriguez entered the living room and began telling the officers, specifically Chrisman, they had no right to be in the trailer and they needed a warrant or would need to leave.
A verbal exchange began and Chrisman placed the muzzle of his pistol against Rodriguez's temple, saying, "I don't need no warrant, (expletive).
"Virgillo said there was no threat being made toward either officer and that he didn't know why Chrisman would have placed his gun against Rodriguez's temple.
Chrisman then returned his pistol to his holster. He tried to grab Rodriguez's arms in an attempt to detain him and Virgillo attempted to assist. The two officers were unable to restrain Rodriguez.
Chrisman used his Taser on Rodriguez, who dropped to the floor. Chrisman knelt by Rodrigez, but when the Taser deployment ended they both stood up.Virgillo then used his taser on Rodriguez, but when the taser ended Rodrigez pulled the probes from his chest.
Chrisman next sprayed Rodriguez in the eyes with pepper spray from about 1 foot away. He also pulled his pistol and shot a pit bull that was in the living room.Virgillo said in the follow-up report that the dog had been barking but had not tried to attack either of the officers.
Rodriguez began arguing with Chrisman about why he shot the dog. Rodriguez said he wanted to leave on his bicycle. Chrisman and Rodriguez became involved in a physical confrontation from across the bicycle's frame.The struggle continued between the two until Chrisman drew his pistol again, raised it upward toward Rodriguez and shot him from a distance of about 2 to 3 feet as he was standing on the other side of the bicycle.
Virgillo later said he believed more than one shot was fired. He said both he and Rodriguez took a step back when Chrisman drew his gun.
Virgillo also said he did not feel threatened to the point of using a gun, and that at no time did he see a weapon in Rodriguez's hands.
Chrisman has not made a statement since being advised of his Miranda rights.
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