A federal judge sentenced former San Diego County Sheriff’s Deputy Aaron Richard Russell to 12 years in prison on Friday for the fatal 2020 shooting of an unarmed man who was running away from custody.
Russell, 29, was convicted by a federal jury in March following a two-week trial. Jurors deliberated for less than seven hours before finding him guilty of violating the civil rights of 36-year-old Nicholas Bils by shooting him from behind.
U.S. District Judge Todd Robinson ordered the sentences for Russell’s two convictions to be served consecutively. Russell received 24 months for deprivation of rights under color of law, and a mandatory minimum of 120 months for discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
“Law enforcement is rightfully held to a higher standard because of the power they’re imbued with to protect the community,” Judge Robinson said before delivering the sentence. “It is difficult to imagine offense conduct more aggravated than intentionally taking the life of another person.”
The shooting occurred on May 1, 2020, in downtown San Diego. California State Parks Police officers were transporting Bils to the San Diego Central Jail when he escaped from custody and began to run. Russell, who was a sheriff’s deputy at the time, fired five shots at Bils.
Four bullets struck Bils from behind, including one that pierced his heart and lung. He collapsed at the corner of Front and B Streets and was pronounced dead at a local hospital shortly after. A fifth bullet missed Bils and struck a civilian vehicle driving down the street.
The incident was captured on downtown surveillance cameras and police body-worn footage. During the trial, multiple officers at the scene testified that Bils posed no threat, that they never considered pulling their own weapons, and that the decision not to shoot “wasn’t even a close call.” Civilian eyewitnesses, including a nurse and a firefighter, also testified to their shock at seeing Bils shot in the back.
“The Constitution protects every person from the unjustified use of deadly force by law enforcement officers,” U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon said in a statement following the sentencing.
Mark Remily, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s San Diego Field Office, added that the sentence highlights the agency’s commitment to investigating civil rights violations and upholding the Constitution.
During the hearing, prosecutors read a statement from the victim’s mother, Kathleen Bils, who described the loss of her son as “excruciating.”
“No mother should ever be awakened in the middle of the night to hear her child has been killed by law enforcement for running away,” she stated. “To hear that those trained and sworn to protect us have shot and killed one of us for fleeing is egregious.”
The victim’s cousin also spoke, describing a happy childhood spent with Bils and the ongoing grief her family faces. “My faith has been shattered. My family has been shattered… I just want Nicky to come home, but he won’t,” she said.
Russell, who has been free on bond throughout the trial, was ordered to report to prison to begin his 12-year sentence by noon on July 13.
READ: Florida Man Arrested After Allegedly Thrusting At Doorbell Camera In A G-String
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox
