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Ex-San Diego deputy charged with murder in escapee shooting

By: Associated Press

Posted at 5:45 PM, Jul 13, 2020

and last updated 2020-07-13 20:45:18-04

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — A former San Diego County sheriff’s deputy has been charged with second-degree murder for shooting an escaping detainee.

The county district attorney's office says 23-year-old Aaron Russell was arrested Monday.

It's unclear if he has an attorney.

Prosecutors say Russell shot 36-year-old Nicholas Bils on May 1.

Police say Bils had been arrested for threatening a ranger with a golf club at Old Town San Diego State Park.

Police say he managed to free himself from the ranger's car after it was parked at a downtown jail.

Russell was nearby and opened fire at the fleeing Russell, who wasn't armed.