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Wrongly identified homeowner’s family files wrongful-death suit against Phoenix
Relatives of Christian Diaz Rendon sued Phoenix, an officer and police supervisors after he was fatally shot while restraining an intruder in his west Phoenix home. Prosecutors declined to charge the officer, saying they could not prove his actions were criminal beyond a reasonable doubt.
The family of Christian Diaz Rendon filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the City of Phoenix, Officer Jason Valenzuela and the officer’s supervisors, seeking damages and a jury trial over Diaz Rendon’s death.
The lawsuit was filed Sept. 29, eight months after Diaz Rendon was shot on Jan. 26 at a home near 75th Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road. Investigators said Valenzuela mistook Diaz Rendon for a suspect while responding to a reported home invasion.
Court records say Edgar Garcia opened fire and forced his way into the home. Diaz Rendon tackled Garcia and tried to hold him until police arrived, but Valenzuela shot him, according to the records. Diaz Rendon died at the scene.
In April, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced that Valenzuela would not face criminal charges. Mitchell said prosecutors could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the officer’s conduct violated Arizona law. The civil lawsuit seeks to hold the city and officers accountable; its allegations have not been resolved in court.