Ex-deputy convicted in fatal shooting of fleeing, unarmed man

Aaron Russell faces up to life in prison for 2020 killing of Nicholas Bils outside San Diego jail

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A former San Diego County sheriff's deputy was convicted by a federal jury of civil rights and firearms charges in the 2020 shooting death of an unarmed man who was fleeing from law enforcement. Aaron Russell, 29, was found guilty after a second trial in the killing of 36-year-old Nicholas Bils, who was shot multiple times in the back, arm and thigh while running away from Russell and other officers.

Why it matters

The case highlights ongoing concerns over police use of force, especially against unarmed individuals, and the challenges prosecutors face in securing convictions of law enforcement officers. Russell's conviction comes amid a national reckoning over police accountability and scrutiny of incidents where officers shoot fleeing, non-violent suspects.

The details

Russell was initially prosecuted in state court, where he pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to one year in jail. He was then tried in federal court, where a jury deadlocked last year before convicting him this time on charges of deprivation of rights under color of law and using a firearm during a crime of violence. Multiple officers at the scene testified that Bils did not pose a threat, but Russell was the only one who opened fire as Bils ran away from custody.

  • The shooting occurred on May 1, 2020.
  • Russell's first federal trial ended in a mistrial in 2025.
  • Russell was convicted by a federal jury on March 3, 2026.
  • Russell is scheduled to be sentenced in federal court on May 29, 2026.

The players

Aaron Russell

A 29-year-old former San Diego County sheriff's deputy who was convicted in the 2020 shooting death of Nicholas Bils.

Nicholas Bils

A 36-year-old man who was shot and killed by Russell while fleeing from law enforcement outside a San Diego jail in 2020.

San Diego County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that employed Russell at the time of the shooting.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Russell faces a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence and up to life in prison when he is sentenced in federal court on May 29, 2026.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges in holding law enforcement accountable for use of force, even in cases where officers' actions appear clearly unjustified. The conviction of Russell, a former deputy, may signal a shift towards greater scrutiny and consequences for police shootings of unarmed individuals.