Renton, Washington — A jury has found an off-duty security guard guilty of murder and assault in connection with the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Hazrat Ali Rohani last summer outside a local sporting goods store. Aaron Brown Myers, 52, will be sentenced on July 21, following a trial that highlighted the complex nature of self-defense claims in cases involving firearms.
The incident occurred on June 5, 2024, as Rohani and two friends approached the Big 5 Sporting Goods store with BB and airsoft guns, intending to return them. Myers, who was not on duty at the store at the time, had taken his son to a nearby martial arts class. He later claimed to investigators that he was monitoring the parking lot because he was concerned about crime in the area.
Prosecutors argued that Myers misinterpreted the situation, approaching the teenagers with his weapon and escalating a minor encounter into a deadly confrontation. They asserted that the teens attempted to clarify that their weapons were not real, with Rohani reportedly raising his empty hands before being shot. Myers fired a total of seven rounds, hitting Rohani in the back, resulting in his death at the scene.
Defense attorney Mark Middaugh contended that Myers acted out of fear for his safety, believing one of the teenagers was reaching for a gun. “He followed the training that he’d received,” Middaugh stated, emphasizing the rapid nature of the decision-making process in high-stress situations. However, jurors ultimately found the evidence presented, including video footage and witness testimonies, insufficient to support a claim of self-defense.
The prosecution also highlighted that Myers had no legal authority to intervene in the situation, noting that the teenagers had not threatened him or committed any act of robbery. They argued that the clear verbal indications from the teens that they were not armed should have de-escalated the situation, leading to a conviction after a day and a half of deliberations.
Rohani, a student at Kent-Meridian High School, was one of three teenagers present during the encounter. The jury’s decision has ignited discussions in the Seattle area regarding gun violence, the perception of threats, and the responsibilities of individuals who take it upon themselves to enforce the law in public settings. Observers noted that the case underscores the complexities surrounding vigilante justice and the fine line between defense and aggression.
Emotional moments followed the verdict as Myers expressed distress while saying goodbye to supporters before being taken into custody. The judge ordered him to remain incarcerated until sentencing, where the prosecution expects the judge could impose a term exceeding 20 years due to the nature of the charges, including second-degree murder, assault, and a firearm enhancement under state law.
As the sentencing date approaches, the case will continue to receive scrutiny. Attorneys involved may submit recommendations, and Rohani’s family is expected to make statements addressing the court. Although the jury has ruled on Myers’ guilt, the determination of his punishment still hangs in the balance, marking a significant moment for both legal proceedings and community reflection on the tragic loss of a young life.