AURORA, Colo. — Family members of a man fatally shot by an Aurora officer late last month called for justice on Thursday, saying he was unarmed and only holding a cellphone when one officer fired a single shot, hitting him in the stomach.
"If you think you're going to be able to explain it away by saying he thought it was a gun – when all of the other officers knew it wasn't – well, we're going to have something to say about that," said Edward Hopkins Jr., an attorney who represents the family of Kilyn Lewis.
The 37-year-old was fatally shot shortly before noon May 23 in the area near East Alameda Avenue and South Havana Street, as Aurora Police SWAT and the Denver Police Department's fugitive unit were attempting to take him into custody in connection with an attempted homicide, according to Aurora Police.
“Any loss of life is a tragedy for an individual's family, our community and the officers involved, no matter the circumstances," said Interim Aurora Police Chief Heather Morris in a statement that was included with a release of a portion of body camera footage.
"Critical incidents like these are difficult to watch," Morris said. "They involve real people – people with family and friends who love them. I know that nothing I say can ease the pain this family is feeling. What I can do is ensure that a complete and thorough investigation is conducted and share those findings with our community. We are committed to transparency, and we will always seek ways to improve how we serve the people of Aurora.”
Lewis' family and their attorneys questioned the transparency and accused the department of using the short edited video clips and statement to create their own narrative about what happened.
According to Aurora Police, Lewis was wanted in connection with an attempted homicide that occurred May 5 near 48th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard in Denver.
According to a probable cause statement from Denver Police, Lewis was accused of firing from a red Monte Carlo toward a group of people after an altercation. A man who was not involved reported that he was walking when he heard gunshots and felt pain in his shoulder. He said that he's legally blind and was unable to provide information about who might have fired the shots. He was treated for four wounds to his shoulder and back.
"These are allegations. They [Aurora Police] make sure to omit the fact that these are allegations because it's important for you all to start thinking that Kilyn Lewis is some kind of menace," Edwards said. "Nothing has been proved against Kylin Lewis at the time of his death, but they're not going to wait for justice to catch up."
The clips of body camera footage that Aurora Police released appear to show that Lewis putting up his hands when he was shot. Morris noted in her statement that just before that, Lewis put his right hand behind his back, and when it was visible again, he was holding something. The object was found to be a phone. Many family members watched the video last week and said they don't understand why Officer Michael Dieck fired his weapon.
> Content Warning: This video shows a man being shot and could be difficult for some people to watch.
"Didn't you see what they [the other officers] saw?" Anndrec Lewis questioned. "I made a hard decision, and I watched the video of the shooting last week. I watched my husband Kylin's last moments. I watched because I needed to know what happened to him. And I needed to know what made Officer Dieck shoot Kylin. I didn't see a reason."
>Watch Anndrec Lewis’ full comments from Thursday's news conference in the video below.
Lewis' mom said they would like to see Dieck arrested and charged in Lewis' death.
"Officer Dieck, your reckless decision stole the very essence of our family, leaving us with nothing but shattered dreams and a lifetime of unbearable grief," said LaRonda Jones.
"But justice will not be denied," Jones said. "Just as you, Officer Dieck, stripped my son of his rights, I demand that you too, face the consequences of your actions. I demand that you stand before a jury of your peers, not as a protector of the law, but as an accused murderer. I demand that you be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law just like any other individual who commits such a heinous crime. Your badge does not grant you immunity."
Dieck was placed on administrative leave. The 18th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team is investigating the shooting. A spokesman for the district attorney's office said their office has not been presented with any official findings, which would need to happen before a decision on whether anyone will face charges.
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