AURORA, Colo. — A man who was reportedly trespassing at a private park-and-ride lot that serves the Denver International Airport was shot and killed by an Aurora police officer Monday evening.
The Aurora Police Department said it received a 911 call about a suspicious person trespassing at an "off-site airport parking lot" in the 19900 block of East 56th Avenue around 3 p.m.
Scripps News Denver crews at the scene confirmed the shooting was at The Parking Spot, located at 19901 East 56th Avenue.
The 911 caller reported that there was a man on the property checking vehicle door handles and refusing to leave.
Aurora police said a patrol officer responded around 5:15 p.m. and contacted staff members, who said the man was still on the property and was "becoming more aggressive with employees."
"So for whatever reason, this situation was escalating as our officers were responding into the location," Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain said during a press conference Monday evening.
#APDAlert: About 5:30 p.m., Aurora police officers were involved in a shooting responding to a report of a suspicious person in a parking lot in the 19900 block of East 56th Avenue. The suspect and an APD officer was taken to local hospitals. The officer sustained minor injuries… pic.twitter.com/pMAjIGNzns
— Aurora Police Dept (@AuroraPD) May 13, 2025
The patrol officer was told that the suspect was "loitering in the back area towards this grassy field." According to Chamberlain, the officer put out a call for help "within 30 seconds... based on his contact with the individual."
The officer had "brief" contact with the suspect. He also reportedly used de-escalation techniques and "less lethal munitions," according to Chamberlain. Later in the press briefing, the police chief clarified that the officer used his Taser, but it appears that the equipment "had no impact."
The suspect allegedly did not comply with the officer's orders and continued walking toward him.
"At one point, the officer actually got pulled down onto the ground, that we know at this time. Some equipment from the officer's belt was removed and is scattered amongst the field back there," the police chief said.
The officer was able to get the suspect off and, at some point, fired his service weapon. Officers with the Denver Police Department, as well as additional Aurora police officers, arrived and performed life-saving measures on the suspect.
The suspect was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The Adams County Coroner's Office will release his identity at a later time.
Chamberlain said his officer was injured during the physical altercation. The officer was taken to the hospital with minor injuries, according to Aurora PD. Once he is released from the hospital, he will be placed on paid administrative leave, per department protocol.
The 17th Judicial Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) is investigating the incident. Aurora PD's Internal Investigations Bureau is also conducting an investigation.
Chamberlain said the investigation is in its "very, very early stages." Anyone with information is asked to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at (720)913-7867. Tipsters can remain anonymous and could earn a reward of up to $2,000.
The police chief acknowledged that his department, along with Denver PD, has been working to combat burglary and auto theft in the area surrounding DIA.
"Unfortunately, that is a situation that we deal with, and it's something that we contend with. And I think that's probably the reason why this PR, our person reporting, who actually works in this location, ended up calling because it just didn't seem right, what was going on with our individual, our suspect, who was at this event. So yes, it is something we deal with," Chamberlain said.
All lanes heading eastbound on East 56th Avenue were closed at Himalaya Street for several hours. The roadway was reopened around 9:48 p.m.
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