The deputies involved in a 2018 fatal shooting were legally justified in their use of force to defend themselves and other deputies, according to a report from Vicki Klingensmith, Chief Deputy District Attorney for the 18th Judicial District.
Arapahoe County Deputies Robert Knudson, Christopher Donovan and Robert Bratsch were cleared by the DA's office for the November 15, 2018 shooting death of 18-year-old Allen Fanning after it was concluded that the deputies reasonably believed that their lives were in imminent danger and committed no crime, the report states.
Just after 9 a.m., deputies responded to the area of Arapahoe Road and Potomac Street to investigate a domestic violence issue initially involving two people. When they arrived on scene, deputies determined that a third person who made a threat with a gun was involved. That person was then seen fleeing the area in a vehicle, the sheriff's office said.
Deputies pursued the suspect, identified as 18-year-old Allen Fanning, eventually boxing in his vehicle in the area of Arapahoe Road and Dayton Street, just east of Interstate 25.
When Fanning refused to follow commands to exit the vehicle, deputies attempted to break the vehicle's window in an attempt to remove him. Fanning then reached for a weapon, prompting deputies to fire multiple shots at him, according to the sheriff's office. Deputies said Fanning was the only person inside the vehicle at the time.
The suspect was hit, and as soon as he was no longer considered a threat, the sheriff's office said deputies removed him from the vehicle and started CPR. Fanning was then taken to a nearby hospital where he died, deputies said.
A loaded gun was later recovered from inside the suspect's vehicle, according to the sheriff's office.
One deputy sustained minor injuries. No other injuries were reported.
A Smith and Wesson M&P 40 caliber shield handgun was collected from the front driver seat of Fanning's car, the report states. There were five live rounds in the magazine and a box of 40 caliber bullets in the center console.
Uniforms, equipment and firearms from the deputies were collected as part of the investigation.
Body camera video was also collected, the report states.
Fanning died of multiple gunshot wounds and his toxicology results tested positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine.
The deputies involved were placed on paid administrative leave, per sheriff's office policy.
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