Avondale Police Execute Black Teen, County Attorney Complicit in Cover-up

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

February 15, 2024

Contact: Larnell Farmer | President West Valley NAACP Email: president@wvnaacp.orgPhone: (623) 252-8021

Phoenix, AZ —  Nearly one year ago, police body cam footage revealed that Amarion Hope, a 17-year-old Black student, unarmed and suspected of shoplifting, was shot and killed by an Avondale police officer on Feb. 21, 2023. On February 12, 2024, Avondale Chief of Police Memo Espinoza, was notified by the Maricopa County Attorney’s office that County Attorney Rachel Mitchell would not pursue charges against Officer Francisco Cardenas-Duarte for executing Amarion. 

At the time he was killed, Amarion was only suspected of shoplifting. He had not been formally charged. He was not convicted, and no evidence had been presented against him. In fact, Amarion had no criminal history to speak of. Yet, officer Cardenas-Duarte played judge, jury, and executioner when he ignored proper procedure and immediately attempted to handcuff Amarion, never explaining why he was being arrested/detained. Unarmed, with no weapon on his person or in his bag, Amarion struggled and began to run away from the officer. Officer Cardenas-Duarte shot Amarion Hope repeatedly in his back, killing him. Amarion did not pose a threat to the officer or the public. There were many other decisions  Officer Cardenas-Duarte was required to make before administering lethal force against an unarmed minor. However, he did not make those decisions; instead, like so many other police in Arizona, Officer Cardenas-Duarte decided to execute this young Black child… for running away. Running away is NOT a threat worthy of lethal force. 

Avondale and Peoria police (the investigating agency) have since spun a narrative to justify Officer Cardenas-Duarte’s violence. But the community knows better. We have seen police violence kill so many of our Black youth that this pattern is not only obvious, it’s predictable. In view of the Maricopa County Attorney’s decision not to pursue this case, the West Valley NAACP issued the following statement:

The West Valley NAACP is outraged regarding the homicide of Amarion Hope and the ongoing violence against our people at the hands of police. This case demonstrates corrupt leadership across multiple agencies in law enforcement. Arizona police have been executing Black and brown members of our communities with impunity, and we will no longer tolerate the systemic avoidance of accountability in law enforcement. If we cannot trust the Maricopa County Attorney to effectively discharge the duties of that office, which includes impartially investigating law enforcement and holding killer cops accountable, then we will replace her. Members of law enforcement should not be held to a different standard from the broader community, and the Maricopa County Attorney’s office has demonstrated a proven track record of sweeping police violence under the rug. NO MORE! We demand Officer Cardenas-Duarte be held accountable. He must never be permitted to work in law enforcement again.

NTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES: 

• Larnell Farmer, President West Valley NAACP, 623-252-8021, president@wvnaacp.org

The National Advancement of Colored People (NAACP):  Our mission is to achieve equity, political rights, and social inclusion by advancing policies and practices that expand human and civil rights, eliminate discrimination, and accelerate the well-being, education, and economic security of Black people and all persons of color.