Marcus Fuentes

Date: 9/15/2022          Location: Kingman, AZ         FACTORS (1,2,4,5,8,10,19) 

Name: Marcus Adam Fuentes                                   

Criminal History/Involved: Yes, Fuentes had prior arrests for possession of drug paraphernalia, disorderly conduct, and assault, and convictions for theft, forgery, and possessing drug paraphernalia. /  Yes, Fuentes was wanted for “outstanding warrants.”

Mental Illness: Yes, Fuentes lied about having a gun, and made suicidal statements.

Substance Abuse History/Involved: Yes, Fuentes had prior drug related arrests. / None stated.

Race/Sex/Age: Latino/Male/36

Officer(s) involved: Kingman Police Officer Mike Morris                                                   

What prompted the initial contact with police? After receiving a tip that Marcus Fuentes had active warrants and was in a vehicle traveling in the area, Kingman police officers conducted a traffic stop upon observing him in a vehicle at around 8:15 p.m. on September 15, 2022.

Actions taken by subject towards police: When the vehicle pulled over for the police, Fuentes jumped out and ran from the police and into an assisted living facility where he hid behind an outdoor pillar.

Reactions by the police: Officers chased Fuentes and caught up to him outside the facility, ordering him to come out with his hands up. Fuentes again refused to comply, replying that he was armed and would rather die than go back to prison. When Fuentes made a furtive movement that officers feared was an attempt to access the weapon he warned of, body camera videos show PO Morris fatally shot Fuentes with his duty issue rifle.

Outcome of investigation into the fatal police incident: Mohave County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the shooting.

What could the subject have done that day to still be alive today? Fuentes could still be alive today if: he did not commit prior crimes; complied with the terms of his probation; complied with the police and did not run from them; and did not fake having a gun.

Miscellaneous: This was a troubled individual who should have still been in prison instead of being on the outside where he committed suicide by cop.

Justified Use of Deadly Force? YES, given Fuentes’ statements about possessing a gun and preferring death to returning to jail, when he made a furtive movement to his waist, PO Morris reasonably feared for the safety of his fellow officers and used justified deadly force.