PHOENIX (KSAZ) - A Phoenix Police Sergeant will be demoted for his part in the shooting of Michelle Cusseaux in 2014, according to a police department spokesperson.
Sergeant Percy Dupra fatally shot Cusseaux when she reportedly approached officers with a hammer above her head. Officers were called to the apartment after she threatened to harm mental health care workers. An autopsy of Cusseaux found that she had drugs and trace amounts of alcohol in her system at the time of the shooting.
The Maricopa County Attorney declined to bring criminal charges against Dupra. A Department Use of Force Board found that the shooting fell outside of department policy.
From there the internal review went to a disciplinary board which recommended Dupra be demoted from Sergeant to Police Officer.
Local activists and those critical of the department were calling for Dupra to be fired from the department.
Chief Joe Yahner reportedly reviewed the recommendation and approved the demotion which the city will begin processing.
As part of the city's policy, Dupra can appeal the demotion to the city's Civil Service Board.