KINGMAN – A Kingman man who was wounded during an armed confrontation with local police was arraigned in Mohave County Superior Court on Thursday, Feb. 22. Andrew Romero, 39, pleaded not guilty to two counts of aggravated assault.
Judge Derek Carlisle informed the defendant he could face up to 42 years in prison if convicted of both offenses. Judge Carlisle also scheduled a March 21 pre-trial conference for Romero, who is incarcerated in the Adult Detention Center.
Romero was returned to Kingman on Feb. 7, following extradition from Nevada after he was discharged from the Las Vegas hospital where he was treated for his gunshot wound. No one else was injured during the Dec. 29 encounter after officers responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 1700 block of Golden Gate Ave.
Authorities said Sgt. Kenneth Morris shot Romero after he exited the home brandishing a shotgun while failing to obey police commands. Morris has returned to duty and the Lake Havasu City Police Department is conducting an independent review of the officer-involved shooting, standard practice in the law enforcement arena.
