mesa cops kill black man Original Article News Update Officer shoots, kills man in Mesa By Mike Branom, Tribune April 1, 2006 An early morning family dispute on Friday ended when Mesa police shot a man dead after the man attacked an officer. Officer David Kohler was struck in the head with a hard plastic patio chair after responding to the incident at 210 N. Alma School Road. When the man picked up another chair, Kohler shot him. The officer suffered minor injuries. Police spokesman Sgt. Chuck Trapani said 911 dispatchers received numerous calls reporting a loud argument between a man and woman at 2:17 a.m. at the Rosewood Villas apartment complex. The first officer arrived three minutes later and saw a man running south from the complexs parking lot. Police later identified him as James Deon Lennox, 35. When the officer made contact, Lennox threatened the officer, police said. The officer then called for more units. After backup arrived, a sergeant used pepper spray to subdue Lennox. Police said that at first, it appeared Lennox was complying with officers orders. But when Kohler approached, Lennox attacked him with a chair. Kohler fired when Lennox picked up a second chair, Trapani said. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The 21-year-old woman involved in the original disturbance call was interviewed by investigators and released. She and Lennox lived in the same apartment and were believed to be boyfriend and girlfriend. This is Mesas first officer-involved shooting of the year. Contact Mike Branom by email, or phone (480) 898-6536