Maricopa County Attorney declines to file charges against Avondale officer involved in death of Amarion Hope
Attorney Rachel Mitchell declined to file charges against the police officer involved in the February 2023 shooting death of a 17-year-old shoplifting suspect.
Author: Jonathan McCall
Published: 1:06 PM MST February 16, 2024
Updated: 7:02 PM MST February 16, 2024
AVONDALE, Ariz. — Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell has declined to file charges against an Avondale police officer involved in the 2023 shooting death of 17-year-old Amarion Hope.
On Feb. 21, 2023, officers responded to a shoplifting call at a Family Dollar on Dysart Road near Buckeye Road.
According to the Avondale Police Department, the officer fired his weapon five times hitting Hope twice as he ran away from the officer. Police said the shooting happened after Hope allegedly tried to choke the officer and get his firearm from his holster.
Hope family attorney Benjamin Taylor confirmed he received notification from the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office of the decision this week.
In September 2023, Hope’s family filed a $25 million lawsuit against the officer, the department, and the city claiming his shooting was unjustified.
12News reached out to Avondale Police, Peoria Police who investigated the shooting, and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for comment.
The Avondale Police Department sent 12News the following statement:
"
Now that the investigation by the County Attorney’s Office has concluded, the Avondale Police Department will commence its administrative investigation. Due to pending civil litigation, the City will not comment further at this time."
The Maricopa County Attorney's Office issued this statement to 12News:
"Two independent expert reports and an MCAO review of the shooting concluded that the actions by the officer were justified within the context of the events and therefore there is no reasonable likelihood of conviction."
The police department was informed of the county attorney's decision on Feb. 12.