CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (AP) - Eloy police say the fatal shooting of a stolen car suspect following a 45-minute chase was justified although it was later discovered that the man wasn’t armed.
Manuel Orosco Longoria was shot twice by a Pinal County Sheriff’s deputy on Jan. 14 after the chase through Eloy.
Sheriff’s officials say the 40-year-old Longoria repeatedly told authorities that he had a gun during the chase and wouldn’t be taken alive.
They say the Mesa man refused to obey verbal commands, yelled profanities at the deputies and suddenly reached into his vehicle just before the deputy fired.
Eloy police also say Longoria made hand motions that he had a gun.
The Casa Grande Dispatch reports (https://bit.ly/1a1B1EF) that an autopsy and toxicology report may show if Longoria had drugs in his system.
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Information from: Casa Grande Dispatch.
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