A man was shot and killed by Aurora police in a privately owned park-and-ride lot near Denver International Airport on Monday night, officials said.
Aurora police received reports at about 3 p.m. Monday of a suspicious person trespassing at The Parking Spot in the 19900 block of East 56th Avenue, trying to break into vehicles and refusing to leave, according to a news release from the police department.
The area is just north of Denver’s Green Valley Ranch neighborhood.
When an Aurora officer responded to the report, more than two hours later at 5:15 p.m., employees told the officer that the man was still there and “becoming more aggressive,” police said in the release.
The officer found the suspect, who has not been publicly identified, and tried to speak with him in the parking lot, but the suspect charged the officer and started a fight, according to Aurora police.
That’s when the officer called for backup.
Police tried to deescalate the situation and used less-lethal options — likely a Taser — before the struggle and shooting, Chief Todd Chamberlain said at a Monday evening briefing. Officers also gave the man multiple commands, but he refused to stand down and was shot.
It’s unclear how many officers shot the man or how many times he was shot.
Paramedics took the man to the hospital, where he later died from his injuries, police said. He will be identified by the Adams County Coroner’s Office.
The police officer involved in the fight was also taken to the hospital with minor injuries, Chamberlain said. He will be placed on paid administrative leave upon his release from the hospital, per agency policy
The 17th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team is investigating the shooting.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867. Tipsters can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.
This is a developing story and may be updated.
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