Federal Jury Finds Former San Diego County Sheriff’s Deputy Guilty in Fatal Shooting of Unarmed Fleeing Arrestee

SAN DIEGO - A federal jury today convicted former San Diego County Sheriff's Deputy Aaron Richard Russell in the fatal shooting of a 36-year-old unarmed man who was shot four times from behind while running away from authorities.

Following a two-week trial and less than seven hours of deliberation, the jury found that Russell violated the civil rights of the victim in taking his life by shooting him in the back as he ran away. He was convicted on both counts filed against him - Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law and Use and Discharge of a Firearm During and In Relation to a Crime of Violence.

Russell is scheduled to be sentenced on May 29, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Todd W. Robinson. He was allowed to remain free on bond. Russell faces a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence and up to life in prison.

"This is an important verdict because it demonstrates our commitment to impartially and unceasingly seeking justice," said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon.

"Civil rights have long been a priority for the FBI," said Acting Special Agent in Charge TJ Holland of the FBI San Diego Field Office. "In conjunction with the U.S. Attorney's Office, the FBI will vigorously investigate any potential violations."

According to evidence presented at trial, on May 1, 2020, Russell - who at the time was a deputy with the San Diego Sheriff's Department - fired five shots at the victim, N.B. - who was unarmed - as he attempted to flee from custody while California State Parks Police officers were transporting him to the San Diego Central Jail in downtown San Diego. The victim was struck multiple times, including once squarely in the back. That shot punctured his lung and struck his heart, and N.B. died as a result of the multiple gunshots.

The initial encounter with the victim began on the afternoon of May 1, 2020, when a California State Parks officer approached N.B. in the Old Town State Historic Park because she saw him hitting golf balls to his dog while the park was closed by COVID-19 regulations. N.B. ran from the officer, who chased him on foot.

A short time later, N.B. was taken into custody. He was searched and handcuffed before being placed into the back of a law enforcement vehicle for transport to the San Diego Central Jail, located at Front and B Streets in downtown San Diego. Due to COVID-19 protocols in place at the time, the officers traveled in separate vehicles.

The transport was uneventful until they arrived at the intersection in front of the jail. As they pulled through the intersection and up to the jail's sallyport, N.B. slipped one hand free from his handcuffs, managed to get his arm through the partially lowered rear passenger window - which had been lowered pursuant to a COVID-19 protocol to allow for ventilation - and was able to open the rear passenger door from the outside.

N.B. opened the rear door, exited the sedan, and briefly attempted to prevent the California State Parks officer in the other vehicle from exiting his truck before turning and running northbound on Front Street. That officer was only momentarily delayed and chased N.B., only a few feet behind.

At the same time, the defendant and another deputy were standing at the intersection of Front and B Streets. The defendant immediately stepped into the street, drew his firearm, and fired five shots in rapid succession at close range. No other officer even pulled their firearm, and at trial, multiple officers testified that it was apparent that N.B. was not a threat to anyone, that they never for a moment considered shooting N.B., and that it "wasn't even a close call." Other eyewitnesses, including a nurse and a firefighter, testified that they were "shocked" that the defendant shot N.B. in the back.

Four of the rounds fired by the defendant struck N.B., including one that entered his back and fatally pierced his heart and lung. N.B. staggered to the northwest corner of Front and B Streets, where he collapsed, his body falling half on the sidewalk and half in a planter next to a tree. Other officers and paramedics tried to save his life, but he was pronounced dead shortly after being transported to the hospital.

The shooting was captured on multiple surveillance cameras along Front Street, as well as on body-worn camera footage from officers who responded to the scene shortly afterward. The fifth round fired by the defendant struck the driver's side fog lamp of a civilian's vehicle that was traveling southbound on Front Street.

The defendant was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 16, 2024. Russell's first trial on the charged offenses in May 2025 ended when the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Seth Askins and Michael Songer and Department of Justice Civil Rights Trial Attorney Lia Wright Tesconi.

DEFENDANT Case Number 24-cr-1015-TWR

Aaron Richard Russell Age: 29

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law Using a Dangerous Weapon and Resulting in Death - 18 U.S.C. § 242

Maximum penalty: Life in prison and $500,000 fine

Use and Discharge of a Firearm During and In Relation to a Crime of Violence - 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)

Maximum penalty: Mandatory Minimum 10 years in prison and $500,000 fine

INVESTIGATING AGENCY

Federal Bureau of Investigation