Denver District Attorney Issues Officer-Involved Shooting Letter

Investigation and Decision Re September 3, 2021, Shooting of Drew Lucero

DENVER—Denver District Attorney Beth McCann’s legal review of the officer-involved shooting that occurred on September 3, 2021, at 5343 Billings Street in Denver is complete. DA McCann concluded that the shooting of Mr. Drew Lucero by three Westminster Police Department officers was legally justified and that no criminal charges are warranted.

“Once Mr. Lucero exited the house, produced a weapon and fired it, it was impossible for these officers to apply nonviolent means prior to resorting to physical force. Nonviolent means would have been ineffective in preventing an imminent threat of serious bodily injury or death to these officers,” said DA McCann. “In this perilous situation, these officers’ decisions to shoot Mr. Lucero in defense of self and each other was justified under Colorado law.”

DA McCann will present details about this officer-involved shooting incident and discuss her conclusions during a virtual community meeting on Wednesday, December 15, 2021, at 5:30 pm. The public is invited to join this online meeting that will take place over Microsoft Teams by clicking here:  https://bit.ly/3I3ilGI.

DA McCann’s decision letter to Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen and Westminster Interim Chief of Police Norm Haubert is available for review.

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