Arizona police officer charged with manslaughter for shooting death of unarmed suspect

PHOENIX — A Prescott police officer was indicted for the fatal shooting of an unarmed suspect in June 2024, authorities announced Wednesday.

Officer Brian Sutton, 26, was charged with one count of manslaughter by a Yavapai County grand jury, according to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.

Due to a conflict of interest, the Yavapai County Attorney’s Office submitted the case to MCAO in September.

The investigation was handled by the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

More details on Prescott police officer’s indictment

Sutton is accused of unlawfully shooting 34-year-old Daniel Leslie on June 8.

The previous day, police responded to a domestic dispute call at a Prescott home near Rosser Street and Willow Creek Road, according to ABC15. Leslie left before officers could contact him.

Officers returned the next day and found Leslie, who was unarmed, outside the home. When Leslie started running toward the home, Sutton shot him, according to prosecutors.

Leslie died of his injuries after being taken to a hospital.

Leslie’s family has filed a $20 million notice of claim against Prescott police over the shooting, ABC15 reported.

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