Video released from officer-involved shooting that left Tucson teen dead

TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – Video from an officer-involved shooting in Tucson that left a teen suspect dead in April has been released.

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The video from the Pima Regional Critical Incident Team, which can be watched below, was issued on June 4, almost two months after the incident.

GRAPHIC CONTENT WARNING

The Tucson Police Department one teen was killed, and another was arrested after an armed robbery and standoff on Monday, April 6.

PRCIT said 15-year-old Joannie Jose Armenta died after he was shot by SWAT officers. 14-year-old Mario Aydin Muruato was taken into custody on charges of first-degree murder, armed robbery, aggravated assault, kidnapping, and vehicle theft.

Muruato was charged with murder due to his alleged role in the crimes that led to Armenta’s shooting and death.

PRCIT said the incident began as an armed robbery at a business in the 2500 block of North Campbell Avenue around 7:30 p.m.

PRCIT said Armenta and Muruato broke into the business, which was closed for the day, and confronted an employee.

The TPD said Armenta and Muruato assaulted the worker and stole her money and car keys. They then fled in the stolen vehicle before officers arrived.

The vehicle was found in the 100 block of West Ajo Way, and Armenta and Muruato took off running and went into a home in the 3700 block of South Lundy Avenue.

At the same time, the owner of that home called 911 and said she saw Armenta and Muruato in her home through her security cameras. The woman said her 8-year-old child was still inside the home, but officers were able to get the child out safely. Video of the child’s rescue was included in the PRCIT release on Thursday.

PRCIT said Muruato surrendered to the TPD, but Armenta remained inside.

For several hours, SWAT and hostage negotiators tried to get Armenta to come out, but he made several comments about having a firearm and threatened to shoot police.

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At one point, a negotiator told Armenta he had not done anything that he could not come back from. But Armenta then made several concerning comments. He could be heard apologizing to his mother, father, and friends.

The negotiator then told him, “If you force us to shoot you, you’re committing suicide. That is your choice.”

Armenta then said, “I fought, I fought with you, God. I rest my soul upon you, God.”

Armenta then raised an object at the officers, and two SWAT officers fired their weapons and hit Armenta.

Officers then used a K-9 officer and less-lethal ammunition to try to take Armenta into custody, but he continued to resist.

Armenta was taken to the hospital, where he died. Investigators said Armenta had a toy gun that was wrapped in cloth “to simulate a weapon.”

PRCIT said the SWAT officers who discharged their firearms were Joseph Jensen, a 14-year veteran of the TPD, and Daniel Lee, a 13-year veteran of the TPD.

It was the fifth officer-involved shooting in southern Arizona this year.

  • On Jan. 12, a man was injured, and a woman was arrested following a deputy-involved shooting near Interstate 10 and Cortaro Road.
  • On Jan. 23, there was an officer-involved shooting at an apartment complex near Campbell and Bilby in Tucson.
  • On Jan. 27, there was a trooper-involved shooting near Interstate 10 and Speedway in Tucson.
  • On Jan. 27, there was a Border Patrol agent-involved shooting on Arivaca Road in Pima County.

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