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City official rejects agreement between city attorney and 2nd company tied to fatal shooting at dueling protests

A city official rejected an agreement with Pinkerton, which contracted Isborn Security. Matthew Dolloff, 30, is charged in the Oct. 10 fatal shooting of Lee Keltner.

DENVER — The second security company that authorities said is involved in hiring an unlicensed security guard charged with second-degree murder following the fatal, Oct. 10 shooting of a man at dueling Denver rallies must appear before the Department of Excise and Licenses.

The announcement comes after Excise and Licenses Executive Director Ashley Kilroy rejected the tentative settlement agreement between Pinkerton and the Denver City Attorney’s Office, an office spokesperson said Friday.

Pinkerton Consulting & Investigations will appear for their hearing on Feb. 3 at 9 a.m.

This decision comes after Isborn Security Services earlier this month agreed to surrender its license. 

RELATED: Company that hired unlicensed security guard charged in fatal shooting to surrender license

Denver's Dept. of Excise and Licenses on Nov. 4 issued a citation to the security firms. A spokesperson for the department said the agreement does not prevent Isborn Security from working in other municipalities in Colorado.

RELATED: Denver cites 2 security firms who city says contracted unlicensed security guard charged in fatal shooting during dueling rallies

Matthew Dolloff, 30, was formally charged with second-degree murder on Oct. 19. His preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Jan. 8 at 1:30 p.m. 

> The video above aired Oct. 16 and looks at who Matthew Dolloff was actually working for.

RELATED: Denver cites 2 security firms who city says contracted unlicensed security guard charged in fatal shooting during dueling rallies

Dolloff was contracted through the company Pinkerton by 9NEWS. It has been the practice of 9NEWS for a number of months to contract private security to accompany staff at protests.

Dolloff was not licensed to provide security services as required in the City and County of Denver, the department said in its announcement. City law defines a security guard as “a person employed or engaged by a private security employer to perform security services.”

Pinkerton on its Facebook page previously issued a statement shortly after the shooting of 49-year-old Lee Keltner, saying:

Credit: Pinkerton via Facebook

9NEWS management released the following statement:

"Pinkerton, the company 9NEWS contracted with, is responsible for ensuring the appropriate licensing of its guards or those it contracts with. 9NEWS does not contract directly with individual security personnel. 9NEWS had directed Pinkerton that security guards accompanying our personnel not be armed, and none of the 9NEWS’ crew accompanied by Mr. Dolloff on Saturday were aware that he was armed. 9NEWS no longer uses Pinkerton to provide security."

Dolloff was arrested on Oct. 10 following the shooting near the Denver Art Museum. It happened near the end of two dueling demonstrations that included members of Black Lives Matter and other groups on one side, as well as people attending what they dubbed a “Patriot Muster.”

According to the probable cause (PC) statement released by the Denver Police Department, Keltner and another individual engaged in a "verbal dispute" and "both men yelled and postured" while walking with a group around 3:30 p.m. near the DAM during the rally. Witnesses told investigators they believed "the men may engage in a physical altercation," the PC statement says.

Keltner was then observed holding a bottle of OC spray prior to striking Dolloff in the side of the head with an open hand following an altercation in front of the DAM, according to the PC statement. 

Dolloff then pulled a gun from his waistband and fired one shot at the same time Keltner sprayed the OC spray, the PC statement says. Keltner immediately collapsed, the PC statement says, and officers quickly took custody of Dolloff.

RELATED: Video shows moments before, during and after shooting at dueling Denver rallies

Keltner was taken to the hospital, where he was declared dead at 4:05 p.m., the PC statement says.

Keltner, reportedly a Navy veteran, worked as a hatter and was also a part of Colorado’s motorcycle community. The Biker Down Charity has started a fundraiser for his family, describing him as a husband, father and friend to many.

9NEWS management on Oct. 12 released the following statement about the incident:

“9NEWS continues to cooperate fully with law enforcement and is deeply saddened by this loss of life.

“For the past few months, it has been the practice of 9NEWS to contract private security, through an outside firm, to accompany our personnel covering protests. Pinkerton, the private security firm, is responsible for ensuring its guards or those it contracts with are appropriately licensed. 9NEWS does not contract directly with individual security personnel.”

An additional statement from 9NEWS management was released Oct. 13:

"As stated [Oct. 12], 9NEWS does not contract directly with individual security personnel. 9NEWS contracted with Pinkerton and had directed that security guards accompanying our personnel not be armed. None of 9NEWS’ crew accompanied by Mr. Dolloff on Saturday were aware that he was armed.”

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