In the winter of 2014, a confrontation in a Sierra Vista, Arizona neighborhood ended in the death of 49-year-old Michael Estrada. The events leading to his death began when police officers responded to a situation where Estrada was reportedly armed.
A standoff ensued, with officers attempting to de-escalate the situation. At one point, officers repositioned themselves out of Estrada's view. Shortly after, he was seen climbing a backyard fence into a neighboring property.
As officers followed, they confronted Estrada, who was reported to be holding knives. Bystanders at the scene later testified to seeing Estrada either lunge or stumble toward the officers.
In the final moments of the encounter, fearing for their safety, two officers, Martin and Howell, discharged their weapons. Officer Martin first fired a shotgun, striking Estrada in the knee. Seconds later, Officer Howell fired two shots from a pistol that struck Estrada in the back. An ambulance arrived within five minutes of the shooting, but Michael Estrada succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter.
The officers' use of deadly force was later legally reviewed. A court determined that their actions were not unreasonable under the circumstances and granted them qualified immunity. The court acknowledged the tragic nature of the event but concluded that a reasonable officer on the scene could have perceived an imminent threat of serious physical harm.
