A police officer in Arizona who shot dead an unarmed black man said he opened fire after mistaking a bottle of pills in the man’s pocket for a gun.



Rumain Brisbon, 34, was killed by the 30-year-old white officer, whose name was not immediately released, following a struggle outside an apartment building in north Phoenix on Tuesday evening.

News of the killing came amidst debate over the failure of grand juries in New York and Ferguson to indict white officers in the deaths of unarmed black men.

Phoenix police said in a detailed statement that following a tip-off, Brisbon was suspected of dealing drugs and got out of his Cadillac SUV after the officer approached the vehicle to inquire. However, a friend who said he was with him said Brisbon was delivering food.

Brisbon “appeared to be removing something” from the rear seat, according to the police, so the officer instructed him to show his hands. Brisbon “placed one or both hands in his waistband area” before fleeing to a nearby apartment building.

After being chased by the officer on foot, the 34-year-old father of four refused to obey instructions to get on the ground, according to police, who said he yelled profanities at the officer and a struggle ensued.

“During the struggle Brisbon put his left hand in his pocket and the officer grabbed on to the suspect’s hand, while repeatedly telling the suspect to keep his hand in his pocket,” said the police statement. The two men tumbled inside an apartment after a door was opened.

“The officer believed he felt the handle of a gun while holding the suspects hand in his pocket”, the statement continued. Having become “unable to maintain his grip on the suspect’s hand”, the officer shot Brisbon twice in the torso. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The item in Brisbon’s pocket turned out to be a vial containing several oxycodone tablets, according to police. They reported discovering a handgun and a jar apparently containing marijuana inside Brisbon’s vehicle following the shooting. Brisbon was found to have a criminal record including a burglary conviction.

The officer, who has worked for the department for seven years, was not harmed. Police said he was in the area to investigate an alleged burglary but was told by two people that men inside a black Cadillac SUV were engaged in a drug deal.

Brandon Dickerson, who said he was in the car with Brisbon before the shooting and witnessed some of the incident, told the Arizona Republic Brisbon was there to deliver fast food to his children in the apartment building. The newspaper reported that “on Wednesday evening, strewn french fries still littered the front porch”.

Marci Kratter, an attorney for Brisbon’s family, told the newspaper they were considering a wrongful death lawsuit.

“It was a senseless tragedy,” she said. “He was unarmed and not a threat to anyone. We intend to pursue this to the full extent of the law.”