The family of a Scottsdale man killed in an officer-involved shooting has hired private investigators in an effort to find out what led up to the deadly incident.
Dylan Liberti was shot and killed by a Scottsdale police officer on July 27th. Officers responded to the parking lot outside a Sprouts near 92nd Street and Shea after people called to report a man acting erratic and suspicious. Police said he refused to comply with the commands of responding officers, and after a struggle and chase, confronted officers with a knife.
One officer shot and killed Liberti, who police said was out on release for a felony that happened in November 2015.
Then, Liberti was arrested for assaulting a Scottsdale officer with a knife and attempting to take his weapon near the intersection of Scottsdale and Shea.
"There has been no trial, no conviction, and he's pled innocent to that. I think if tried he would have been found innocent in that case as well, that is my humble opinion," said David Rubin, an attorney hired by Dylan Liberti's family.
Rubin said what troubled them most was how quickly Scottsdale police ruled this shooting as justified, simply based on the statement of officers at the scene.
"So quickly they determined it was the kid's fault. We have a goal of determining what actually happened. We've already contacted a number of witnesses. There's been some forensic work done," said Rubin of the work done so far by those hired by Liberti's family.
"Let's face it, [police are] portraying this young man as someone who provoked police into actually killing him. We don't believe that's true. We believe that with proper and detailed investigation including a forensic one, we can determine what actually occurred and bring it to light," Rubin said.
He added that "troubled" was too broad of a way to describe Liberti's actions that day.
Police said they sent officers to the area after getting a 911 hang up call from a deli in the area. Police said an employee told them Liberti had reached over the counter and used their phone to dial 911, then hung up and left the deli.
"Who among us doesn't have family members that are not troubled in one form or another, whether it be by mental illness disorder or something else," said Rubin.
If anyone has witnessed this shooting, or what led up to it private investigators working with the Rubin Law PLC firm want to hear from you.
You can reach them by contacting David Rubin at david@rubinlawplc.com or calling (602) 795-4888.
ABC15 reached out to the Scottsdale Police Department for a comment in regards to this story. A spokesman said there was nothing new to report. The officer involved in the incident remains on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure in these kind of incidents.
Liberti will be laid to rest on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the St. Patrick's Catholic Community Church at 10815 North 84th Street, Scottsdale, Arizona.
A go fund me account has been set up to help family with expenses that have arisen due to Liberti's death. If you'd like to help you can contribute by clicking here.
