A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against the City of Glendale and two of its police officers following a fatal shooting incident involving Dillon Siebeck in January 2025, as reported by FOX 10 Phoenix and ABC15. The legal action, initiated by Romanucci & Blandin on behalf of Siebeck's family, challenges the circumstances under which Siebeck was misidentified and fatally shot by Glendale officers in Horizon Park while they were in search of another individual.
The tragic mistake that culminated in Siebeck's death began when Glendale Police were dispatched to a domestic violence call. They sought a suspect named Angelo Diaz, but upon their arrival, a deadly error was made as Siebeck, at the park and unconnected to the incident, was confronted by officers. He complied with initial commands to show his hands, yet officers fired upon him after he "dropped their hands and reached for something," according to the Glendale Police's recount of the incident as per FOX 10 Phoenix. The law firm contends the officers shifted focus from the suspect's pickup truck to Siebeck without confirming the individual's identity, who, sitting at a picnic table, presented no resemblance to the suspect in age or appearance.
In the aftermath of the shooting, which resulted in Siebeck's death, law enforcement's response has come under rigorous scrutiny. The lawsuit alleges that officers failed to provide timely medical assistance to Siebeck, leaving him without aid for 19 minutes after being shot. In statements obtained by ABC15, Antonio M. Romanucci, a founding partner of the law firm, expressed the gravity of the circumstance, "The wrongful death of Dillon Siebeck is, unfortunately, a textbook example of excessive force violations by police."
Despite the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office deciding not to press charges, Glendale Police fired Officer Juan Gonzales, believing his actions "could potentially be a safety risk to our community." A letter, shared by the department and cited by ABC15, revealed past discipline for Gonzales's gun handling, while affirming the city's stance on his firing. Meanwhile, Sgt. Josh Anderkin remains on the force, with the department withholding comment on his status amid active litigation.
As the legal battle unfolds, Siebeck's family is advocating not only for justice in his memory but for systemic reforms within the Glendale Police Department. In a statement obtained by FOX 10 Phoenix, Attorney Benjamin A. Berkman emphasized the importance of aligning the department's practices with "Constitutional policing standards that the community deserves."
