An Adams County Sheriff’s deputy who fired shots that critically wounded an unarmed man after a high-speed chase that forced a closure of Interstate 70 northeast of Denver in May will not face charges, Colorado prosecutors have decided after an independent review.
There’s no evidence the shooting wasn’t legally justified, investigators concluded.
“Based on the evidence presented and the applicable Colorado law, there is no reasonable likelihood of success of proving the elements of any crime beyond a reasonable doubt against the involved deputy and no charges will be filed against him,” 17th Judicial District District Attorney Brian Mason wrote in a March 8 letter notifying Adams County Sheriff Gene Claps.
The chase and shooting happened on May 24 just after midnight. Adams County Deputy Joseph Archuleta and his partner Deputy Jonathan Eller were patrolling and spotted a Dodge pickup with no license plates and started pursuing it. The driver later was identified as Matthew Jones, according to a summary of the case included in Mason’s letter.
Eller maneuvered, trying to stop the pickup, but Jones accelerated, reaching speeds up to 92 mph in westbound lanes of Colfax Avenue outside Bennett near I-70. Another deputy placed “traffic sticks” designed to puncture tires in an underpass area and the pickup’s tires made contact, partially disabling the pickup. But it moved onto I-70 with deputies in pursuit, the letter said.
Colorado State Patrol troopers joined the chase. Sparks were flying from the deflating tires as the pickup slowed to around 40 mph and at one point left I-70, the letter said. “Jones then entered back onto I-70 traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes while being pursued.”
Troopers made several efforts to stop Jones, with his pickup sideswiping a CSP vehicle on its driver’s side while both vehicles were in the median. Eventually, Jones’ pickup stopped on the highway, and he fled on foot. Then he jumped onto the running board of a semitruck traveling eastbound that had slowed down due to police activity and attempted to force entry to the truck’s cab by yanking on the driver’s side door and loudly pounding on the window, the letter said.
Archuleta eventually fired shots that injured Jones after he jumped off the running board and pointed his arm at Archuleta while threatening to kill him. Deputies and troopers gave first aid and Jones was taken into custody and transported to University Hospital, where he received treatment and survived.
“Deputy Archuleta stated that due to Mr. Jones’ statements and his perception that Mr. Jones’ mannerisms of pointing at him Deputy Archuleta believed Mr. Jones was armed with a handgun and was going to shoot him,” Mason wrote in the letter.
“Deputy Archuleta believed that he was in imminent danger of being killed. Deputy Archuleta stated that he was concerned for his safety” and the safety of other officers, troopers and I-70 motorists, the letter said. “Deputy Archuleta fired his duty weapon, striking Mr. Jones.”
I-70 was closed near Watkins after the shooting as investigators combed the scene.
Investigators later determined that Jones was unarmed at the time.
Criminal charges against Jones are pending in Adams County District Court.
A 17th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team conducted the investigation, with Westminster Police Detectives Steve Sanders and Matt Calhoon leading the work.
