TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) – New details have emerged about the officer-involved shooting at Banner University Medical Center South that happened in October, which resulted in the death of an inmate from the Pima County Adult Detention Complex.
According to the Pima Regional Critical Incident Team (PRCIT), 31-year-old Nathan Peru was taken to the hospital a day before the incident occurred on Oct. 22, to be seen for care.
Peru, who was in custody of two corrections officers, reportedly asked for food on Oct. 22. As one corrections officer remained with him in the room, an altercation occurred between the two.
According to PRCIT, Peru slipped out of a wrist restraint, lunged toward to corrections officer and attempted to grab her firearm, prior to the incident. The officer, identified as five-year veteran Caitlin Acosta, fired her department-issued weapon, fatally wounding Peru.
Hospital staff immediately attempted life-saving measures, but Peru was declared dead. No bystanders or hospital staff were injured, while Acosta sustained minor injuries, PRCIT said.
Peru was held on charges of Endangerment, two counts of Sexual Conduct with a Minor, Theft by Means of Transportation, and Burglary in the Third Degree.
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Peru was arrested in August 2024 after being on the run for nearly five months. He was wanted for two counts of sexual conduct with a minor and theft of transportation after his 4-year-old daughter allegedly drowned.
According to court documents, Peru found his daughter face down in a bathtub in March 2024. The family of the 4-year-old girl reacted to Peru’s arrest after he was accused of sexually assaulting her, which court documents revealed.
PRCIT is conducting a criminal investigation, led by the Oro Valley Police Department. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department will carry out a parallel administrative investigation into the actions of their personnel.
