Attorneys for Pima County issued a statement from the attorneys for the family of Jose Guerena, the Iraq War veteran who was gunned down during a SWAT raid at his home, confirming that the settlement between the two parties was reached without an admission of guilt.
It was reported in the media that one of the family’s attorneys, Christopher Scileppi, stated that the Pima County Sheriff’s Office had accepted full responsibility for their horrendous acts.
Recently released video depositions show Pima County Sheriff’s detectives and SWAT members contradicting each other as they answer attorneys’ questions about a search warrant raid, which ended in fatal gunfire two years ago, according to KHPO.
The raid took place on May 5, 2011. A video of the raid sparked outrage in the Tucson community and in veterans across the country.
In the video, SWAT members are seen knocking down the front door and firing more than 70 shots into Guerena’s home.
Originally, the Sheriff’s Office reported that SWAT members were confronted by Jose Guerena, alleging he was carrying an AR-15 assault rifle and began opening fire on the deputies. Four days later, PCSD released an updated version of the events which indicated Guerena was carrying the firearm, but never opened fire. According to the second release, the gun’s safety was on.
The search warrant executed on Guerena’s home was one of four executed that morning. In the affidavit, the detective wrote:
“This group of individuals has been surveiled for a six-month period. There’s no pattern to suggest that a legitimate work routine exists. No one ever went to a place of business and stayed for any significant period of time.”
But Guerena did have a job, according to KPHO. He had worked full-time at a copper mine since at least 2010, pulling 12-hour shifts on the overnight schedule.
The agreement still needed the approval of the Pima County Board of Supervisors and the court.
The Pima County Medical Examiner found that the veteran’s body had 22 bullet entrance wounds. The report also showed that Guerena had many exit wounds as well. There were no drugs in his system.
The medical examiner listed, in order, these entrance wounds:
•one wound to the head, which the report describes as a graze;
•one wound to the right upper chest;
•one to the right lower chest;
•one to the left upper abdomen;
•three to the right upper arm;
•one to the right elbow;
•one to the right hand;
•one to the left upper arm;
•one to the left elbow;
•one to the left forearm;
•one to the left hand;
•two to the right thigh;
•one to the right calf,
•one to the right foot;
•four to the left thigh;
•one to the left foot.
The report also notes that the body shows “no evidence of medical intervention.” The investigation found that Guerena had not fired a shot, and that his weapon still had the safety engaged.