A 51-year-old man has been found guilty of fatally shooting a teenager in an incident that took place outside a sporting goods store in Renton, Washington. Aaron Brown Myers was convicted of second-degree murder and second-degree assault in connection with the death of 17-year-old Hazrat Ali Rohani. The tragic event unfolded on what would have been Rohani’s 19th birthday.
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The incident occurred on June 5, 2024, when Rohani and two friends attempted to return an airsoft gun to a Big 5 store. Despite repeatedly informing Myers that their weapons were merely airsoft guns, the situation escalated dramatically. According to investigative reports, Myers shot Rohani seven times—once in the abdomen and six times in the back.
Surveillance footage from the scene revealed the disturbing circumstances surrounding the shooting. As Rohani lay on the ground, he called out for his mother while Myers continued to fire at him. Eyewitness accounts and video evidence depict a scenario where the teenager was clearly not posing a threat, having raised his hands, indicating he was unarmed.
At the time of the shooting, Myers, who worked as a security guard, was off-duty and waiting in the store’s parking lot for his son to finish a jiu-jitsu class. The complaint against him highlights his role in escalating the situation, starting from when he encountered the three teenagers walking towards the store, armed with their airsoft guns. The complaint includes statements from one surviving friend, who asserts they had informed Myers about the nature of their weapons and had complied with his demands.
Further reviews of the footage illustrate how Myers approached the teens with his firearm drawn. Rather than de-escalating the situation, he reportedly chose to act with increasing aggression, ultimately leading to the violent confrontation. The surviving teen described being pushed to the ground by Myers, indicating a pattern of excessive force initiated by the security officer.
Eyewitness testimony underscores the grim realities of the shooting. Evidence showed Rohani backing away from Myers while attempting to signal that he posed no threat. His actions, which included raising his hands in a defensive manner, were not interpreted as a threat by those present at the scene. Instead, they were indications of fear and surrender.
Myers later claimed during police interviews that he shot Rohani because he believed the teenager was reaching for a weapon. However, the footage failed to corroborate this assertion, showing no actions that would suggest Rohani was armed or attempting to retrieve a gun from his pocket. Tragically, he was shot while facing away from Myers and showing clear signs of compliance.
After the shooting, witness accounts revealed that Myers did not attempt to administer first aid or render assistance, standing by as Rohani succumbed to his injuries. The subsequent investigation led to his indictment on serious charges, which culminated in a guilty verdict.
Myers’ conviction comes with significant repercussions; he is facing a sentence of up to 28 years in prison. As the court prepares for sentencing, the case has sparked wider discussions about the use of lethal force in confrontations involving young people, particularly given the circumstances surrounding Rohani’s tragic death.
Hazrat Ali Rohani was remembered as a victim of an avoidable tragedy, particularly in light of his young age and the context of the confrontation. His family, who are Afghan immigrants, have expressed their grief and called for justice, underscoring the impact of gun violence on communities.
As the community reflects on this incident, concerns about violence, particularly in interactions involving authority figures, remain at the forefront of public discourse. The sentencing for Aaron Brown Myers is scheduled for July 21, as many await both the decision from the court and the broader implications for public safety and justice in the region.