AURORA, CO - According to reports from the Aurora Police Department (APD) in Colorado, a 16-year-old suspect has been hospitalized following an officer-involved shooting which occurred when the male suspect charged at police officers wielding a knife. Officers were in the process of withdrawing to “create space” between themselves and the suspect when he attacked them.
As noted by Denver7 News, the APD has observed a large increase in car break-ins and auto thefts in the area where the incident occurred and were engaged in “hotspot policing,” per Hildebrand, with officers attempting to catch the assailants in the act.
The incident began when officers responded to a “prowling” report at an apartment complex and encountered the teenager who fled on foot when they approached, according to Aurora PD Division Chief Mark Hildebrand per CBS News.
Officers were able to track the teenager’s movements and located him taking cover behind trees and vehicles nearby. Per the outlet, officers ordered him to come out, and he refused to comply.
Emerging quickly from cover, the suspect charged the officers, moving “at a very fast pace” Hildebrand told reporters, adding, “Officers were actually retreating backwards to create space.” One of the Officers drew his service weapon and fired once, striking the suspect in the leg, at which time he discarded the knife, dropped to his knees, and complied with the officers’ commands per Denver7.
According to a press release issued via X, the two responding officers, both Sergeants “immediately provided the suspect with first aid until medical responders arrived at the scene.“
The department said the officer who fired his weapon is a 20-year veteran officer. Per standard procedure, the Sergeant has been placed on paid administrative leave. The Department stated that the APD Major Crime Homicide Unit is investigating the non-fatal shooting.
In the statement, APD said, “The 18th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team is conducting an independent investigation of the officer-involved shooting to determine whether the officer’s actions complied with state law. The Aurora Police Department’s Internal Investigations Bureau is conducting a concurrent administrative investigation to determine whether the officer’s actions complied with agency policies and training.”
As noted by Denver7 News, the APD has observed a large increase in car break-ins and auto thefts in the area where the incident occurred and were engaged in “hotspot policing,” per Hildebrand, with officers attempting to catch the assailants in the act.
UPDATE: Division Chief Mark Hildebrand, head of the Investigations Division, provides an on-scene briefing about this morning's officer-involved shooting.
— Aurora Police Dept (@AuroraPD) March 24, 2025
As a reminder, this remains an active investigation. The officer-involved shooting is being investigated by the @DA18th… pic.twitter.com/vZhtfoWENG
The incident began when officers responded to a “prowling” report at an apartment complex and encountered the teenager who fled on foot when they approached, according to Aurora PD Division Chief Mark Hildebrand per CBS News.
Officers were able to track the teenager’s movements and located him taking cover behind trees and vehicles nearby. Per the outlet, officers ordered him to come out, and he refused to comply.
Emerging quickly from cover, the suspect charged the officers, moving “at a very fast pace” Hildebrand told reporters, adding, “Officers were actually retreating backwards to create space.” One of the Officers drew his service weapon and fired once, striking the suspect in the leg, at which time he discarded the knife, dropped to his knees, and complied with the officers’ commands per Denver7.
According to a press release issued via X, the two responding officers, both Sergeants “immediately provided the suspect with first aid until medical responders arrived at the scene.“
The department said the officer who fired his weapon is a 20-year veteran officer. Per standard procedure, the Sergeant has been placed on paid administrative leave. The Department stated that the APD Major Crime Homicide Unit is investigating the non-fatal shooting.
In the statement, APD said, “The 18th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team is conducting an independent investigation of the officer-involved shooting to determine whether the officer’s actions complied with state law. The Aurora Police Department’s Internal Investigations Bureau is conducting a concurrent administrative investigation to determine whether the officer’s actions complied with agency policies and training.”
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Comments
3 days ago | Comment by: Robert
If they had wanted to, the officers could have fatally and justifiably shot this young man. He should feel lucky that a 20-year veteran saw fit to shoot him in the leg and not center Mass! Back the blue.....
3 days ago | Comment by: James
Create space?! When the police say stop and you don't you deserve what you get!