In Maricopa, Arizona, a domestic dispute on the evening of December 18, 2022, tragically ended the life of 52-year-old Anthony Hicks. The incident, which resulted in his death from a gunshot wound, took place at a residence in the Rancho El Dorado neighborhood. Events unfolded after a verbal argument between Anthony Hicks and one of his sons, Julius Hicks.
The disagreement escalated as Anthony Hicks attempted to force his way into the bedroom shared by Julius and his other son,
Demitrious Hicks. As Julius tried to prevent his father from entering, the confrontation turned physical in the doorway. It was at this point that 22-year-old Demitrious Hicks became involved. According to police reports, Demitrious retrieved his Ruger 9mm handgun.
Demitrious told investigators that his father, Anthony, then moved toward him in an attempt to grab the firearm. In what he claimed was a reaction to this, Demitrious fired a single shot, striking his father in the torso. Emergency services were called to the home, and Anthony Hicks was transported to Chandler Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Following an investigation into the fatal altercation, Maricopa police arrested Demitrious Hicks. He was subsequently charged with second-degree manslaughter in connection with his father's death. Law enforcement officials noted that while Anthony Hicks had initiated the physical confrontation by trying to force his way into the room, Demitrious was responsible for intentionally firing the weapon. The handgun and a spent cartridge casing were recovered from the scene of the shooting.
