Pima County Deputy Shoots Suspect Who Charged at Him With a Sword.
On the evening of Saturday, February 24, 2024, shortly past 10:00 p.m., the Pima County Sheriff’s Department responded to a call concerning a suspicious individual at a hotel situated at 4855 South Palo Verde Road. An employee of the hotel dialed 911, reporting that a 23-year-old man named Devon Lewis was causing a disturbance outside his hotel room, wielding a sword and shouting.
Upon arrival, deputies encountered Lewis standing outside a hotel room, still grasping the sword. Although he initially sheathed the weapon upon seeing the deputies’ vehicles, he continued to hold it as they approached on foot. Attempts to communicate with Lewis proved challenging, as he responded with incomprehensible statements.
Suddenly, Lewis drew the sword from its sheath and assumed an aggressive posture. Despite deputies’ commands to drop the weapon, Lewis disregarded them and advanced towards the deputies with the sword raised. In response to the imminent threat, one deputy, identified as Ramon Morales, discharged his department-issued handgun, striking Lewis.
Following the altercation, deputies promptly administered first aid using their individual first aid kits until personnel from the Rural Metro Fire Department arrived to continue life-saving measures. Regrettably, despite their efforts, Lewis was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Fortunately, no deputies or members of the community sustained injuries during the incident. Deputy Ramon Morales, with one year of experience with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, was the officer who discharged his firearm.