Executive Summary
- Family of Dillon Siebeck files wrongful death lawsuit against Glendale and two officers.
- Siebeck was fatally shot in Jan. 2025 after being mistaken for a domestic violence suspect.
- Officer Juan Gonzales was fired for policy violations but cleared of criminal charges.
- Lawsuit alleges officers failed to confirm identity and delayed medical aid for 19 minutes.
A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against the City of Glendale and two police officers following the fatal January 2025 shooting of a man mistaken for a domestic violence suspect. The federal complaint, announced by attorneys for the family of Dillon Siebeck on Tuesday, alleges civil rights violations and negligence in the operation that led to Siebeck’s death.
According to the law firm Romanucci & Blandin, the incident began on January 8, 2025, when Glendale Police officers responded to a domestic violence call involving a suspect named Angelo Diaz. Officers reportedly located Siebeck sitting at a picnic table in a nearby park and identified him as the suspect. The lawsuit asserts that Siebeck did not resemble Diaz and was twice the suspect’s age. Attorneys state that Officer Juan Gonzales fired his rifle at Siebeck without warning, striking the unarmed man.
The filing claims that officers failed to verify the suspect’s identity before engaging. Furthermore, the complaint alleges that Sergeant Joshua Anderkin, who was also on the scene, did not provide medical attention to Siebeck or instruct other officers to do so for more than 19 minutes following the shooting. Siebeck was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office declined to file criminal charges against Gonzales following an independent investigation by the Peoria Police Department. However, the Glendale Police Department terminated Gonzales’ employment, stating his actions violated city policy and posed a safety risk. While the city’s Personnel Board voted against the firing, Glendale City Manager Kevin Phelps overruled the board to uphold the termination. Sergeant Anderkin remains an active member of the department.
Civil Accountability and Procedural Oversight
This litigation underscores the distinction between criminal prosecution and administrative or civil liability in law enforcement use-of-force cases. While the decision by the Maricopa County Attorney precludes criminal penalties for the former officer, the city’s administrative termination points to a recognized failure in adherence to departmental safety policies. The civil litigation will likely scrutinize the protocols used for suspect identification and the duty to render aid post-engagement. It is important to note that the claims made in the lawsuit are allegations, and liability has not yet been established in a court of law.
