¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉäPD proactively requests assistance from Boulder County Investigation Team
On Friday, Dec. 27, 2024 at approximately 8:15 a.m., ¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä Boulder Police (¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉäPD) officers responded to a call of suspicious activity at the Center for Innovation and Creativity (CINC), 1777 Exposition Drive. It was reported a male suspect tampered with an external electrical box outside the building and attempted to break into a vehicle in the area.
Upon arrival, ¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉäPD officers located the suspect and made contact with him. The suspect was acting erratically when officers arrived, refused to follow officer commands and fought with officers. ¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉäPD officers were able to take the uncooperative suspect into custody.Ìý The suspect continued to resist officers and additional assistance was requested from the Boulder Police Department. American Medical Response (AMR) was also called to assist with the incident due to an injury to a ¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉäPD officer and continued erratic behavior of the suspect.
AMR paramedics treated the suspect on scene and transported him to Boulder Community Hospital. During the transport, the suspect experienced a medical emergency and was admitted to the hospital, where he passed away on Sunday, Dec. 29. Methamphetamine was found in the suspect’s possession. The Boulder County Coroner will determine the cause of death.
Out of an abundance of caution, ¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉäPD proactively requested a review of the incident by theÌý (BCIT) on December 27. This multi-agency team is designated to investigate use-of-force incidents in which any law enforcement officer used deadly, or potentially deadly, physical force against a person while acting under the color of official law enforcement duties. Although this tragic incident does not meet the criteria for a mandatory review, ¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉäPD requested the BCIT conduct the investigation.
Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty stated, “I appreciate the ¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä Police Department alerting the Boulder County Investigation Team and the District Attorney’s Office to this tragic death. Although it is not required by law or policy, I fully support ¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä’s request for the BCIT to investigate the circumstances surrounding the arrest, treatment, and eventual death of this person. The BCIT will conduct an objective, independent, and thorough investigation. After the District Attorney’s Office reviews the investigation, the findings will be shared with the community.â€
Contact:
Christine Mahoney, ¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉäPD PIO
christine.mahoney@colorado.edu
720-237-7321