The press conference on this matter can be viewed by clicking the YouTube link below:
https://youtu.be/B5aNrLuJ5TU
Officer Bill Hummel
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
(720) 432-5095
Information previously released on April 10, 2018
In response to the incident that occurred last evening wherein an Aurora Police Officer was involved in a shooting with a suspect, Chief Nick Metz remarked to the suspect’s family, “Incidents like this are tragic on both sides of the spectrum. Our thoughts are with you [suspect’s family] and we will continue to offer support throughout the investigative process.”
Today during a news conference with media outlets, Chief of Police Nick Metz and Lieutenant Hershel Stowell with the Major Crimes/Homicide Unit addressed the public in providing additional information pertaining to last evening’s officer-involved shooting. A clearer picture of what occurred was relayed as follows:
At approximately 8:00 P.M. on April 9, 2018 a suspect was located inside a taxi cab near the Crossland Hotel located near East 38th Avenue and North Chambers Road. The said suspect, an adult male, was wanted by police in the City of Federal Heights for Attempt Murder involving a firearm. That incident occurred just a day prior on April 8, 2018. Having this information, members of the APD’s Strategic Response Team (SRT) and the Fugitive Apprehension and Surveillance Team (FAST) began actively attempting to locate the suspect, as he was believed to pose a serious threat to the community.
These officers had information that the suspect was in a taxi cab as a passenger. The suspect would not allow the driver of the taxi cab to exit the cab and ordered the driver at gunpoint to keep driving. The driver of the taxi cab came to a stop at a red light at East Smith Road and North Chambers Road. The driver fled the taxi leaving the wanted subject in the backseat, where he was now the sole occupant of the vehicle.
Officers from SRT, who were in unmarked vehicles, were adjacent to the taxi when it stopped for the red light. Upon seeing the taxi driver flee from the vehicle, they recognized an opportunity to take the subject into custody with minimal danger to the general public. As officers moved up to the vehicle to take the suspect into custody, shots were fired. Prior to shots being fired, warnings were given by officers. From the course of the investigation, it appears that the suspect fired at officers. The suspect was found to be armed with a handgun.
The suspect sustained injuries at the scene and immediately received medical treatment from an Aurora SWAT paramedic who was at the scene. The suspect was transported to an area hospital where he remains in serious condition as of the writing of this news release.
One officer, a 26-year law enforcement veteran, was placed on paid administrative leave after firing his weapon. This is the officer’s first officer-involved shooting.
Due to the nature of the multiple on-going criminal investigations, the suspect’s identity is not being released at this time and no further information is available for public release.
Anyone who might have witnessed this incident is asked to contact Detective Heath Graw with the Major Crimes/Homicide Unit at (303) 739-6213.
Officer Bill Hummel
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
(720) 432-5095
Information previously released on April 10, 2018
PRESS CONFERENCE REFERENCE OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING
WHAT: The Aurora Police Department
WHEN: Tuesday April 10, 2018, 3:15 p.m. (Media please arrive no later than 3:00 p.m.)
WHERE: Aurora Police Headquarters, Office of the Chief of Police, 15001 East Alameda Parkway
WHO: Chief of Police Nick Metz
CONTACT: Sergeant Chris Neiman, Public Information Officer for the Aurora Police Department
(720) 432-5095
Information Previously Released on April 9, 2018
On Monday April 9th, 2018 at approximately 8:00 pm officers with the Aurora Police Department received information that a wanted adult male suspect known to be armed and dangerous was in a vehicle near the intersection of North Chambers Road and East Smith Road. The suspect was wanted for serious crimes committed in the jurisdictions of Federal Heights and Aurora. Members of the Strategic Response Team attempted to apprehend the suspect when shots were fired.
No officers were injured during this incident. The suspect was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. The identity of the suspect is not being released at this time.
The officer/officers involved will be placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. The investigation is being handled by the Major Crimes/Homicide Unit in conjunction with the Denver Police Department. North Chambers Road will be closed in both directions for an undetermined amount of time between East 32nd Ave and East Smith Road while the scene is being processed by investigators.
Anyone who might have witnessed this incident is asked to contact Detective Heath Graw with the Major Crimes/Homicide Unit at 303.739.6213.
Sergeant Chris Neiman
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095