Latino Outrage: Phoenix Police Say Officer Shot, Killed Unarmed Man

A Phoenix police officer was arrested after shooting and killing an unarmed man and the family dog during a domestic violence call. The Latino community is outraged and rallied last night at the police headquarters, protesting the charges filed in the case and expressing concern that the officer is free on bail.

On October 5, Police Officer Richard Chrisman and Officer Sergio Virgillo were dispatched to a trailer park home in south Phoenix in response a domestic violence call. Chrisman allegedly shot and killed Danny Rodriguez, 29 years of age, after using profanity, stun guns and tear gas on the unarmed Latino. The Latino community is outraged not only by the incident but also by the initial felony charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon rather than murder.

The Latino community called for justice in a gathering at the Phoenix Police Headquarters last night, stating that they "will no longer standby while the Phoenix Police and other law enforcement agencies continue their reign of terror upon the Latino Community."

"They killed him for no reason they just shot him," said ElviraElvira Fernandez, the man's mother, anguished. "I said, ‘Don't hurt him. Whatever you do don't hurt him'... They went in there, and they killed him!" (see video HERE).

Reportedly the two officers went inside the mobile home with Fernandez permission, and Rodriguez began yelling that they needed a warrant. Chrisman allegedly put a gun to the suspect's head and told him, "We don't need no warrant Mother F***er"

Officer Virgillo, a 14-year veteran of the force, called it "the worst day of his life," according to news reports. Chrisman's lawyer questions Virgillo's account of the incident.

"We will investigate this thoroughly and we will do everything possible to make sure we have the facts and take the appropriate action based on the facts," said Phoenix Police Chief Jack HarrisJack Harris.

Chrisman was released on a $15,000 bond the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association helped his relatives raise. Some in the Latino Community consider that low sum a "slap in the face" and express disappointment for the police association "defending the hateful actions of one of their own."

Meanwhile the Latino community plans to rally at the Phoenix police headquarters nightly for the coming week in a demand for justice, according to one blogger. An event tonight is slated from 6-10 PM. One source says "fear of rioting increases" as the outrage mounts.