Attorney Brett Schwartz Speaks Out After Death of Former Client
Homestead Gunman “Was Not a Dangerous Individual,” Says Schwartz
A former client of Hager & Schwartz, P.A. was recently shot and killed by an off-duty police officer in Homestead, FL. In an interview, Attorney Brett Schwartz shares valuable insight regarding 44-year-old Alexander Arrington’s death.
On the evening of January 21st, U.S. army veteran Alexander Arrington fired his weapon at a parked vehicle outside of the Publix Super Market. Authorities describe Arrington’s behavior as “erratic.”
Video footage from a witness reveals Arrington telling the off-duty officer, Francisco Moreno, that he wanted to get back in his vehicle before Moreno fired the shot that would take his life.
Arrington’s former attorney, Brett Schwartz, was interviewed after the incident occurred. Although he previously represented Arrington in a domestic battery case, the charge was ultimately dropped due to a lack of evidence.
Also interviewed was Richard Diaz, former Miami-Dade police officer and founding attorney of Richard J. Diaz, P.A. in Coral Gables. Diaz expressed that he fully supports Moreno’s decision to shoot Arrington, adding that the fatal shot was “justified.”
Diaz told the press that all an officer needs to use deadly force is a reasonable belief that a person’s life is in danger. “This was a no-choice situation,” the former officer said.
Attorney Schwartz offers a more nuanced perception of his former client, making it very clear that while he hadn’t been in communication with him for some time, Arrington was not a dangerous individual.
“He was a veteran who served our country admirably,” Schwartz explains. “Like so many others, [Arrington] was not provided the mental health care or services he desperately needed.”
Friends of Arrington said that the U.S. army veteran struggled with substance abuse in the past, a fact that seems to align with Attorney Schwartz’s perspective.
In addition to statements from Arrington’s loved ones, Schwartz’s words offer a more in-depth picture of the veteran as a dynamic human being instead of reducing his memory to an “erratic gunman.”
Hager & Schwartz, P.A. is an award-winning firm with a proven track record of defending the accused in Miami-Dade County. As former prosecutors, Attorney Brett Schwartz and his fellow lawyers bring unique and extensive legal experience to the table. Visit www.defendyourcase.com to learn more.
If you’ve been accused of a crime in Florida, it’s imperative to consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney to defend your rights. Call (305) 330-1360 to request a consultation.