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A local man shot by Maricopa Police early Saturday morning after pointing a rifle at officers has been identified. He is 29-year-old Robert Mitchell.
 
The incident occurred at 1:10 a.m. when Maricopa Police officers, responding to a call from concerned neighbors in the Homestead community, found Mitchell brandishing a rifle in his front yard. Five officers on scene asked Mitchell to put his weapon down, but police said he verbally threatened the officers and pointed the rifle at them. Two officers then fired, with one bullet striking Mitchell in the abdomen, said Maricopa Police spokesman Sgt. Stephen Judd.

Mitchell was transported by air to Maricopa Medical Center, where he remains. Mitchell is expected to make a full recovery. Once he's able to travel, he will be transported to the Pinal County jail for booking.
 
The altercation was not the department’s first run-in with Mitchell. Judd said the department has answered calls to the man’s home in the past for issues with domestic violence, assault and fighting. The 5’5”, 130-pound man has no prior felony convictions. Judd said the man was not being investigated for any other criminal activity at the time of the incident.

The names of the two officers who fired their weapons are not being released until the department investigates the incident, which is standard procedure any time an officer is involved in a shooting, Judd said. However, both officers will remain on duty while the investigation is completed. “If there was a death, they would have been put on leave, but that is not the case,” Judd said.

Judd said Mitchell is being charged with eight counts of aggravated assault and may face additional felony charges.

Submitted photo

• The original report said multiple gunshot wounds. Now you're saying he was hit by ONE bullet? Could you clarify this please? (GuyPinestra)
• Such a strange story, I wonder why he just seemed to snap. (bunkrdwellr)
• MPD Officers have impeccable grouping. The other bullets all flew through the hole created by the first shot in the abdomen? (dieseld13)
• he was shot more than once but I guess thats what you get when you try to go rambo with an ak-47. (Too_legit_to_quit)
• MPD = Other departments rejects = 17 shots fired and one hit... I guess the other officers ducked and ran for cover.. was the rifle even loaded? were there any witnesses? is there any video or audio from the squad cars? MPD has a history or being corrupt so this should be investigated from an outside source... (cabogirl777)
• How would you be able to tell if the rifle was loading by looking at it at night? Would you ask someone pointing a rifle at you with the intent to KILL YOU if you could check to see if it is loaded. Before you spew corruption accusations at the department maybe you should work a job where someone points a FIREARM at youi with the intent to KILL YOU. Too bad he isn't dead. (keith701)
• When your asked to put a rifle down by the police and you don't do it then you might want to expect to get shot you think? Don't the police have machine guns? He should say thanks to the police for not sending him 6 feet under. (8523crime)
• Again I say thanks for a job well done. Cabogirl, your a dumb jackass. MPD has a history of being corrupt. Get a life. (mybearessentials)
• How "corrupt" of them to shoot a guy refusing to put down a weapon aimed at them! Of all the... sheesh. ::shakes head:: (thick)
• oh MPD does have a history ... look it up I can name 3 bad ones for sure... (cabogirl777)
• Maybe you all should know all the facts before judging him. This article does not have the facts and is not accurate on what exactly took place. This is what happens when the news and newspapers, etc fill in the blanks without getting the complete story of what actually took place. (Jen1a8)
• Point Blank....he deserved it! (Too_legit_to_quit)
• Does the "complete" story include this guy holding a gun and not putting it down quickly when asked by officers? If so, there's really nothing else I need to know. The guy was stupid and got shot, justifiably. (thick)
• Its not illegal to have or hold a gun... I do it all the time Too_legit_to_quit must be from california... its the fact he allegedly pointed it at the cops is the fuzzy part... (cabogirl777)
• cabogirl777 - Do us all a favor and never post here again!!! I'm one of the few that will call MPD to the RED CARPET when need, but this is definitely not one to call them out on. If someone has a gun in makes the wrong move then I say empty the clip on him. As for the corruption allegations. We have a small number of officers mainly command staff that are incompetent at their job and about 55 GRE (mpd85139accountable)
• Sorry got cut off - 55 GREAT OFFICERS!!! (mpd85139accountable)
• Hey cabogirl, why would it matter where I am from?? So whats it to you. Whats so fuzzy about him pointing his loaded weapon at a police officer?? Stop blaming the MPD. They did there job and diffused the situation before INNOCENT people were hurt and killed. (Too_legit_to_quit)
• So the guy messed up obviously for pointing a firearm at MPD. For that he deserved to be handled appropriately, I wasn't there and from the sound of it neither were any of you so we have to trust that our public servants will do the right thing. Isn't anyone else curious about the "8 counts of aggravated assault" and possible felony charges. (anderscd)
• It appears from the article that MPD has history with this guy that may have played a role in their reaction that night. (anderscd)
• Actually I was there. I am not curious about the charges but I do find it completley absurd and disturbing that this man is so far only being charged with agg assault. What this guy did has traumatized a "neighborly" neighborhood that is full of children. I wonder why the MPD isn't speaking of the whole story.....hmm?? (Too_legit_to_quit)
• I can name 3 bad MPD officers.. 1= the guy going around showing pics of his wang to everyone and groaping a 17 year old ... he got fired...2= a cop that pulled over my sister who had no insurance he let her off for her phone number and stalked her..3=the cop that his wife works at native newyorker his wife got in a fight and it was clearly her fault and he called his buddys and had them harrass t (cabogirl777)