Former California deputy guilty in fatal shooting of unarmed man during COVID park closure

Last Updated on March 5, 2026 by The HD Post Staff

CALIFORNIA – The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced March 3 that a federal jury convicted a former deputy in the fatal shooting of a 36-year-old unarmed man who was shot four times from behind while fleeing.

After a two-week trial and less than seven hours of deliberation, the jury found San Diego County Sheriff’s Deputy Aaron Richard Russell had violated the victim’s civil rights by fatally shooting him in the back as he fled.

He was convicted on two counts: deprivation of rights under color of law and use and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence.

Victim was playing with dog during COVID park restrictions

According to trial evidence, on May 1, 2020, then-deputy Russell fired five shots at the unarmed victim, N.B., as he attempted to flee while being transported by California State Parks Police to San Diego Central Jail in downtown San Diego.

The victim was struck multiple times, including once in the back.

The shot punctured his lung and struck his heart, and N.B. died from multiple gunshot wounds.

The encounter began the afternoon of May 1, 2020, when a California State Parks officer approached N.B. at Old Town State Historic Park after seeing him hitting golf balls to his dog while the park was closed due to COVID-19 regulations.

N.B. ran from the officer, who chased him on foot.

A short time later, N.B. was taken into custody, searched, handcuffed and placed in the back of a law enforcement vehicle for transport to San Diego Central Jail in downtown San Diego.

Due to COVID-19 protocols, the officers traveled in separate vehicles. The transport was uneventful until they reached the intersection outside the jail.

Victim exited police car to flee

As they approached the jail’s sallyport, N.B. slipped one hand free from his handcuffs, reached through the partially lowered rear passenger window—opened for COVID-19 ventilation—and opened the rear door from the outside.

N.B. opened the rear door, exited the sedan and briefly tried to block the California State Parks officer in the other vehicle before turning and running north on Front Street.

The officer was only briefly delayed and chased N.B., just a few feet behind.

The defendant stepped into the street, drew his firearm and fired five shots in rapid succession at close range.

No other officer drew a firearm, and several testified at trial that N.B. posed no threat and that shooting him “wasn’t even a close call.”

Eyewitnesses, including a nurse and a firefighter, testified they were “shocked” that the defendant shot N.B. in the back.

Four shots struck N.B., including one that entered his back and fatally pierced his heart and lung. He staggered to the northwest corner of Front and B streets, where he collapsed half on the sidewalk and half in a planter beside a tree.

Officers and paramedics tried to save his life, but he was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital.

Faces up to life in prison

The shooting was captured on multiple surveillance cameras along Front Street and on body-camera footage from officers who responded shortly afterward.

The fifth shot struck the driver’s-side fog lamp of a civilian vehicle traveling south on Front Street.

The defendant was indicted by a federal grand jury May 16, 2024. Russell’s first trial in May 2025 ended when the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict.

Following the recent verdict, federal officials emphasized the Justice Department’s commitment to civil rights enforcement.

“This is an important verdict because it demonstrates our commitment to impartially and unceasingly seeking justice,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon.

Russell is scheduled to be sentenced May 29, 2026. He remains free on bond and faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison.