Former San Diego Deputy Convicted in Detainee's Shooting Death

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A former San Diego County sheriff's deputy, Aaron Russell, has been convicted by a federal jury of charges related to the 2020 shooting death of 36-year-old Nicholas Bils, an unarmed detainee who was fleeing from custody. This was Russell's second trial in federal court for the incident, after a previous jury deadlocked. Russell had also faced state charges and pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, receiving a one-year jail sentence.

Why it matters

The case highlights ongoing concerns over the use of force by law enforcement, especially against individuals who pose no immediate threat. Bils' death led to a $8.1 million wrongful death settlement with his family and renewed scrutiny of deputy training and accountability.

The details

According to prosecutors, Bils slipped out of his handcuffs and a California State Parks officer's car while being transported to the San Diego Central Jail in May 2020. As Bils fled, Russell, who was 23 years old and had been with the sheriff's department for 18 months at the time, was the only one of the four officers present to draw his firearm and shoot Bils multiple times in the back, arm, and thigh. Russell was convicted of federal charges of depriving Bils of his rights and using a firearm during a crime of violence.

• The shooting occurred on May 1, 2020.
• Russell's first federal trial ended in a deadlocked jury in 2021.
• Russell pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in state court in 2022 and was sentenced to one year in jail.
• The $8.1 million wrongful death settlement with Bils' family was reached in mid-2022.
• Russell's second federal trial resulted in his conviction on March 4, 2026.

What’s next

Russell is slated to be sentenced in federal court in May.