A man was shot and killed by Aurora police Saturday night during a confrontation that started after he crashed into two cars during an attempted traffic stop, police said.
An Aurora officer tried to pull the suspect over for an unspecified traffic violation on East Sixth Avenue near Sable Boulevard just after 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain said in an evening news briefing. The suspect kept driving and rear-ended another car traveling eastbound on Sixth.
After the first crash, the suspect crossed over the median and collided with a westbound vehicle, Chamberlain said.
No one in either car hit by the unidentified suspect was injured, but people in both are being interviewed as witnesses, he said.
The officer exited his patrol vehicle and ordered the suspect out of his car, Chamberlain said. The suspect got out but did not listen to the officer’s instructions and started walking toward the sidewalk.
Chamberlain said the events were “very unclear,” but that the officer at some point spotted a gun on the ground and believed the suspect was walking toward it.
The officer grabbed the suspect and pulled him away from the gun, but then backed up when the suspect began walking toward him “in a really aggressive posture,” Chamberlain said. At one point, the suspect put his hands up and repeatedly asked the officer if he was “ready for this.”
Chamberlain said the officer, who was working alone, continued backing up into the intersection and eventually shot the suspect between one and three times.
The officer did not immediately render medical aid, and the man died from his injuries on scene. He will be identified by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office.
It’s unclear where the handgun at the scene of the shooting came from.
Investigators will review video from bystanders, the officer’s body-worn camera, Flock traffic cameras and security cameras from nearby businesses, Chamberlain said.
“Right now, there’s a lot of information that no one can validate,” he said. “It’s still an investigation that’s unfolding, and it will be unfolding for many months to come. … This isn’t something that we are going to have answers to overnight.”
The involved officer was placed on paid administrative leave Saturday, pending the results of the investigation. The 18th Judicial Critical Incident Response Team is investigating the shooting, and the Aurora Police Department is conducting a parallel administrative review.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867. Tipsters can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.
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