The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office will not prosecute a Phoenix police officer who shot and killed a man as he was defending his home and family in January.
The Phoenix police chief has apologized for the fatal shooting of Christian Rendon.
At a news conference Thursday, county Attorney Rachel Mitchell offered her condolences to his family.
“And I just want you to know that I recognize that your husband’s, your father’s final act of protecting his family should never be forgotten. And was truly heroic,” Mitchell said.
Michell also said her decision to not charge Officer Jason Valenzuela for shooting Rendon is partly based on Supreme Court case law.
“So the decision to use force is evaluated based on what the officer knew at the time of the shooting, even if the facts turn out to be wrong in hindsight,” Mitchell said.
A home invasion suspect also faces a murder charge for Rendon’s death.
“Based on all of the evidence, Officer Valenzuela reasonably believed that there was an imminent danger to others. And that he had no choice but to fire his weapon to protect them,” Mitchell said.
