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

Dec 22, 2022

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Maricopa police have released more details of an altercation that led to a 22-year-old man allegedly shooting and killing his father at a Rancho El Dorado home on Sunday.

On Thursday, police said they have identified the suspect as Demitrious Hicks and charged him with second-degree manslaughter in the death of his father, Anthony Hicks, 52.

At 7:48 p.m. on Sunday, 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.

Anthony Hicks was taken to Chandler Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 8:29 p.m., police said. He had suffered a gunshot wound to the left side of his torso. According to police reports, officers interviewed two of Hicks’ sons, Demitrious and Julius Hicks. Police also contacted the 911 caller, Anthony Joe, Anthony Hicks’ cousin.

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.

According to the probable cause statement, Julius Hicks stated he tried to push the door closed to keep his father out of the room, and as he struggled to keep him out, his father made it halfway through the door when a gunshot was heard in the room. Julius Hicks told police he saw his brother Demitrious holding a gun.

During an initial police interview with Demitrious, he stated that as his father followed his brother into the room and pushed the door, the elder Hicks noticed Demitrious had a gun on his hip. Demitrious said that when his father lunged at his brother, he drew the handgun and told his father to stop. Demitrious told officers his father stepped toward him, trying to reach for the gun, when he shot his father, police said.

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

Police noted that Julius Hicks had no visible injuries, and no damage was observed to the bedroom door or surrounding drywall.

Based on the statements provided to police, officers reported “[Anthony] Hicks provoked the altercation by following Julius [Hicks] to his room and attempting entry into Julius [Hicks’] room. Demitrious [Hicks] intentionally shot at [Anthony] Hicks, knowing his conduct would cause death or serious physical injury.”

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