A former San Diego Sheriff’s Deputy, Aaron Russell, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in San Diego on two counts. The charges stem from the fatal shooting of Nicholas Bils on May 1, 2020. Russell is accused of depriving Bils of his right to be free from officers using excessive force and discharging a firearm in relation to a crime of violence.
The indictment alleges that while acting as a San Diego Sheriff’s Deputy, Russell shot at Bils after he had escaped from a California Parks vehicle and was fleeing from law enforcement officers. Without issuing any warning to Bils or his fellow officers, Russell fired five shots at the unarmed man as he attempted to escape. One or more of these shots struck Bils in the back, resulting in his death. It is noted that none of the other officers present at the scene fired their weapons or drew their firearms.
If found guilty, Russell could face life imprisonment. The final sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The announcement was made by Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath for the Southern District of California, and Special Agent in Charge Stacey Moy of the FBI San Diego Field Office.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Seth Askins for the Southern District of California, Special Litigation Counsel Michael J. Songer and Trial Attorney Lia Rettammel of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section.
It should be noted that an indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.