MESA, Ariz. — A Mesa police officer was charged with aggravated assault Wednesday for an incident last year that ended with the officer shooting a suspect.
Investigators say Officer Nathan Chisler shot 44-year-old Randy Sewell last December after police stopped a group of intoxicated people near Ojos Locos Sports Cantina and attempted to arrest them.
Police say Sewell resisted arrest, and he was shot in the hip during the struggle. He survived and was released from the hospital just days later.
Sewell was unarmed, but Chisler told investigators that he feared for his safety and intentionally fired. Police noted that Sewell is 6-foot-1 and 375 pounds.
Maricopa County Attorney Allister Adel filed a complaint against the officer that said Chisler used “a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument, intentionally, knowingly or recklessly did cause a physical injury to Randy David Sewell."
After the department concluded its investigation, the Mesa Police Department said, "Based on a comprehensive review of the internal investigation and all the facts known, Officer Chisler was served with a notice of a pre-deprivation hearing on Monday, June 22nd with a recommendation of termination from the Mesa Police Department."
Mesa Police issued an additional statement Thursday, saying their internal process was completed before the charges were filed.
Chisler was fired from the department on June 25.
Meanwhile, the Mesa Police Association says:
“Typically, these cases are first reviewed by a grand jury before charges are filed. We are disappointed Ms. Adel chose to circumvent that process and we vehemently disagree with her decision. We respect due process – one that’s free from political influence – for all people.”