DENVER — A person accused of shooting three people this week in Aurora was previously accused, in two different cases, of attempted murder and assault.
Aurora Police say Austin Benson randomly shot three people Thursday night, including a 50-year-old woman who has life-threatening injuries.
In July 2018, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office accused Benson of randomly shooting at cars on Rampart Range Road.
"The suspect had shot at several citizens that he passed on Rampart Range Road, flatting the tires of at least one vehicle but no reported injuries to citizens," a probable cause statement read.
9NEWS reported on this incident at the time, which included a retired officer stopping Benson.
The retired officer said when he went to speak with Benson, the man told him “to get him water and that the law was after him.” According to the affidavit, Benson had a rifle in his left hand at the time and was pointing it at the retired officer.
The affidavit said the retired officer went into his camper and gave his wife a handgun, telling her to take cover. He then took an AR-15 out of the camper and went outside, ordering Benson to drop his gun, according to the affidavit.
Benson, however, started to drive away and began shooting at the retired officer and his camper before crashing into a tree, the affidavit says. This prompted the officer to return fire.
Benson was charged with six counts of attempted murder court records show.
In December 2019, Benson was accused of assaulting a hospital security guard by spitting on him. He was also accused of punching a female nurse.
A Parker Police Officer spoke with his mother who said she didn't think jail was the proper place for him.
"Her son needed help and that jail was not the best place for him," the probable cause statement reads.
Court records show both cases were dismissed in October 2023. A judge dismissed the charges after Benson was deemed incompetent to stand trial, a spokesperson for the 18th Judicial District Attorney's office told 9NEWS.
If you have any information on this story, please email Aaron.Adelson@9news.com.
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