Disturbing bodycam shows moment Tucson cop shoots at man in motorised wheelchair 9 times, killing him

An Arizona police officer who fatally shot a suspected shoplifter in a motorised wheelchair has been fired after shooting the 61-year old man nine times. 

CNN reports Richard Lee Richards had been accused of stealing a toolbox from Walmart in Tuscon. An employee contacted an off-duty police officer who was working a special duty assignment at the store. 

Footage released by the Tuscon police department shows officer Ryan Remington slowly following behind Richards through a parking lot outside a Walmart. 

In a statement to the media, the department's police chief Chris Magnus said Remington joined a Walmart employee in the parking lot following Richard, attempting to gain his cooperation. 

"According to the employee, he caught up with Mr Richards outside as he fled the store and asked to see a receipt for the toolbox. Instead of providing the receipt, Mr Richards brandished a knife and said, 'Here's your receipt.'"  

In the footage released by police, Remington can be heard radioing to his colleagues that Richard's had pulled a knife on him. 

"I have a male suspect that just shoplifted, left in front of me, he pulled a knife on me,"

Magnus says the Walmart employee said Richards refused to hand over the knife. 

"According to the Walmart employee, Mr Richard said, 'If you want me to put down the knife, you're going to have to shoot me,'" 

Disturbing bodycam shows moment Tucson cop shoots at man in motorised wheelchair 9 times, killing him
Photo credit: Tucson police department

Magnus said Remington wanted Richards to stop and hand his knife over. 

"Mr Richards refused to comply, and instead continued to head through the Walmart and Lowe's parking lots."             

The ordeal soon escalated as Richards made his way into the store. Remington can be heard yelling at Richards in police body-cam footage. 

"Do not go into the store, sir."

Richards continued to make his way to the entrance which is when Remington fires nine shots, hitting Richards on the back and side.

Magnus has condemned the shooting, saying he was deeply disturbed and troubled by Remington’s actions. 

"As a result, the department moved earlier today to terminate officer Remington."

Remington had been part of the Tuscon police force for four years.