GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Glendale police officer who mistakenly shot and killed an innocent man during a domestic violence response in January will not face criminal charges, officials announced Tuesday.
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office reviewed the case and declined to prosecute, stating there was “no reasonable likelihood of conviction,” according to the Peoria Police Department, which led the independent investigation as part of the West Valley Incident Response Team.
The officer involved remains on administrative assignment while the Glendale Police Department conducts an internal investigation. Depending on the findings, the officer could face disciplinary action, including termination.
What happened at Horizon Park?
The shooting occurred on Jan. 8 near 47th and Diana avenues when officers were responding to a domestic violence report involving 23-year-old Angelo Diaz. The victim claimed Diaz had threatened her with a gun over a custody dispute.
Police located Diaz’s white pickup truck parked near Horizon Park but were unable to see inside due to dark window tint. Officers then spotted 46-year-old Dillon Siebeck, a Tucson resident, walking in the park and mistakenly identified him as the suspect.
Siebeck, who was unarmed, allegedly did not follow officer commands. One officer opened fire, fatally wounding him. Moments later, police opened the truck door and found Diaz inside with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He died at the hospital.
Glendale responds to public concern
“The city of Glendale and the Glendale Police Department hold themselves to a high standard, including strictly following policies and procedures, implementing their professional training, and upholding the public’s trust,” city spokesperson Jose Miguel Santiago said in a statement.
Body-worn camera footage and a critical incident report from Glendale police have been released online. The department’s internal investigation is ongoing.
