Colorado police fatally shoot armed homeowner who killed intruder

AURORA, Colo. – An armed resident and an intruder were killed after a home invasion and officer-involved shooting in Aurora, Colorado on Monday morning.

The Aurora Police Department said it arrived at the home shortly after 1:30 a.m. Monday, heard shots fired from inside the home and encountered an armed man.

Police shot the man, who later turned out to be the resident, according to KDVR. The homeowner was taken to a hospital with gunshot wounds where he later died.

When police went inside the home, they found the intruder, who was dead on the bathroom floor. Police said the intruder was fatally shot by the armed resident.

Authorities also found a juvenile, who was taken to a hospital for serious, but non-life threatening injuries caused by the dead intruder, police said.

The identities of the victims will be released by the Adams County Coroner’s Office.

“This is a very heartbreaking and tragic situation for everyone involved,” Aurora police Chief Nick Metz said. “We are providing assistance through our victim advocates to help the family of the deceased resident through this very difficult time.”

LESSON: DON’T HAVE YOUR FIREARM IN YOUR HAND WHEN POLICE ARRIVE

With very little information related to this incident in Colorado, we can’t comment on the details related to this incident, because it is early on in the investigation.  However, we can reinforce one important point that this incident brings to light.  If you had to draw your firearm to defend yourself, even if no shots were fired, as soon as practically possible, holster your firearm.  The last thing that you want to have happen, is that you are mistaken for the perp or “bad guy”, and get shot by the police.

This is something we reinforce in WPC’s classes.  This is also why we train our students to perform a recovery sequence which includes scanning your surroundings for additional threats.  The scanning process helps break that tunnel vision  that is experienced because of the stress, and allows you to also see responding law enforcement officers.  Law enforcement officers are approaching a scene with little information, and most often, don’t know the people involved.  You can’t expect them to assume that you are the “good guy”.

When Police Arrive:

• HANDS IN THE AIR!

• MAKE NO SUDDEN MOVEMENTS!

• OBEY ALL INSTRUCTIONS!

• Expect to be put down on the ground

• Expect to be handcuffed

• Expect your gun to be taken as evidence

• Expect to be questioned

• Expect to be asked to give a statement