Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell (R) announced Friday that former Mesa Police Officer Kaylon Hall was indicted by the Maricopa County Grand Jury for two counts of reckless endangerment.
“As County Attorney, I will hold those who break the law accountable. An individual’s profession does not impact decision making in my office when deciding if criminal charges are warranted. The community’s trust in our criminal justice system can only be achieved if those sworn to serve and protect are held accountable when criminal acts occur,” said Mitchell.
News Release: Indictment Issued Against Former Mesa Police Officer, https://t.co/5csckU49Pb pic.twitter.com/eMWfQoZd09
— Maricopa County Attorney's Office (@marcoattorney) February 10, 2023
The Arizona Sun Times reached out to the Arizona Fraternal Order of Police (AFOP) for a comment on this indictment but did not hear back by press time. Additionally, the Mesa Police Department declined to comment beyond their current public statements.
According to Hall’s indictment, he allegedly violated Arizona law by endangering a civilian with his service weapon. Committing reckless endangerment involving “a substantial risk of death” is a class 6 felony.
As reported by The Mesa Tribune, the incident with Hall occurred on July 2nd, 2022. He reportedly conducted a traffic stop on driver Anthony Alvarado, 18, after witnessing him swerving in the road. Hall allegedly noticed Alvarado “acting unusual” and looking for his registration in “unusual spots” and requested backup. When another officer arrived, Hall asked Alvarado to exit the vehicle. However, instead of complying, Alvarado closed his car door and sped away from the officers. As he began to flee, Hall pulled out his service handgun and fired two shots at the vehicle. Alvarado fled into the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, and police could not pursue him because of jurisdictional reasons. He was not injured but refused to return to Mesa to speak with detectives. Pictures sent to the department by Alvarado showed two bullet holes in his car’s bumper.
According to the Mesa Police Department Policy Manual, a firearm may only be used in the “defense of life” or to “prevent the escape” of a dangerous fleeing subject. The subject must have “committed a felony involving the infliction or threatened infliction of serious physical injury or death” or “would pose an imminent danger of death or serious physical injury to the officer or to another person.”
This incident was Hall’s first officer-involved shooting. One month after it occurred, he resigned after serving four years in the department.
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office (MCAO) emphasized that this indictment does not mean Hall is found guilty of his crimes. According to the MCAO, a grand jury is comprised of nine citizens selected at random. An indictment can lead to a judge court summons or an arrest warrant for the Defendant.
Hall’s criminal case number is CR2023-006345. According to the Case Calendar presented by the Maricopa County Superior Court, a trial is scheduled for August 3rd, 2023.
Moreover, as reported by The Sun Times, the MCAO recently announced that two Phoenix Police Officers, Nicholas Beck and Eddie Becerra, were not being indicted for excessive use of force. Harry Denman fired shots at the officers outside a QuickTrip, and Beck and Becerra were then filmed kicking and bludgeoning Denman while arresting him inside the store. However, the MCAO decided not to pursue charges against Beck, and a Grand Jury declined to issue an indictment after seeing the evidence against Becerra.
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Neil Jones is a reporter for The Arizona Sun Times and The Star News Network. Follow Neil on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Mesa Police Department” by Mesa Police Department.
