Charges dropped against Rancho man who killed his father

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A man accused of shooting his father last year has not been charged, according to Pinal County Attorney’s Office. 

At 7:48 p.m. on Dec. 18, Maricopa police were called to a home in the 21400 block of West Duncan Drive on a report of a man being shot during a domestic dispute.   

Related: Police: Domestic dispute between father, son led to shooting death – InMaricopa 

Officers arrived at the home in Rancho El Dorado, where two men were standing near the front of the home with their hands in the air, according to a police report. They were identified as Demitrious Hicks and Julius Hicks. They told officers a man, identified as Anthony Hicks, 52, had been shot and was near the front door. Another man, Anthony Joe, exited the home from the front door with his hands in the air. He told officers there was no one else in the home and Anthony Hicks was by the front door. 

According to a police report, officers found Anthony Hicks near the front door lying on his chest asking for help. Anthony Hicks was transported to Chandler Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 8:29 p.m., according to Maricopa Police. He had suffered a gunshot wound to the left side of his torso, according to a medical examiner’s report. 

During multiple police interviews, Julius Hicks stated he was in a verbal argument with his father, which continued to the doorway of the two brothers’ shared bedroom. He stated the argument became physical when his father tried to force his way into the room in what he believed was an apparent attempt to assault him, according to police.   

Demitrious Hicks admitted to firing his Ruger 9mm handgun one time, while aiming at Anthony Hicks, police said. Officers recovered the handgun, a corresponding magazine, and a cartridge casing from the home, police said. 

“After a thorough review of all the facts and evidence in this case, we concluded there is no reasonable likelihood of conviction and thus we are not pursuing criminal charges,” said Michael Pelton, a Pinal County Attorney’s Office spokesman.