(July 20) On Tuesday July 20th, 2021 at approximately 12:30 p.m., Aurora Police Officers responded to a domestic violence incident in the 2300 block of South Xanadu Way. The caller advised that a male was armed with a gun and a shot had already been fired in the house.
Upon officers’ arrival, they were confronted with an adult male who was armed with a gun. Officers attempted to de-escalate the situation by giving numerous commands for the male to drop the gun, but he never did. A shot was fired by the male and officers returned fire, striking the male. Medical assistance was immediately called, and the male was transported to the hospital with serious injuries and is expected to survive. The victim of the initial domestic violence call was located, unharmed, and is being given support and resources by our Victim Advocates.
All uniformed officers had their department issued body-worn cameras activated at the time of the incident.
The two involved officers are 11 and 19-year veterans of the Aurora Police Department. Both officers are assigned to District One Patrol. Neither officer has been previously involved in an officer-involved shooting. The two Aurora Police Officers involved in this critical incident have been placed on administrative leave with pay per departmental policy.
The Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) for the 18th Judicial District responded and will be investigating this officer involved shooting incident. The CIRT Team for the 18th Judicial District conducts independent, multi-agency investigations into officer-involved shootings and in-custody deaths that occur in Arapahoe, Douglas, and Elbert County. As part of Police Chief Vanessa Wilson's "A New Way" Plan to rebuild trust with the community, the Aurora Police Department joined the CIRT Teams for both the 17th and 18th Judicial Districts in April of this year.
One in three women, and one in four men, experience relationship violence in their lifetime according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence based in Denver. If you, or someone you know, is experiencing relationship violence, please do not be ashamed or embarrassed. We are here to support you. You can call us anytime for assistance at 303.627.3100 or get more information by visiting https://www.auroragov.org/residents/public_safety/police/victim_services___rights.
Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
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