Thornton police fatally shot a 29-year-old man on Monday morning near the 8500 block of northbound Interstate 25.
Police said in a news release that they received several 911 calls at about 7:30 a.m. about a man walking into traffic, causing cars to swerve out of the way. One person told dispatch that she nearly hit the man with her car.
When officers arrived and tried to talk to the man, he “produced a weapon” and a Thornton police officer shot him, according to police. The man was taken to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead. No others were injured in the shooting.
Both the northbound and southbound lanes were closed at 84th Avenue and Thornton Parkway for several hours.
The man’s name has not been publicly released as the Adams County Coroner’s Office works to identify him and alert family.
The 17th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team is investigating the shooting and officers who were involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave, according to authorities.
The police department did not disclose how many officers were placed on leave, their names or any additional information surrounding the circumstances of the shooting.
Editor’s note: The 17th Judicial District Attorney announced Thursday, July 6, 2023, that no criminal charges would be filed against Thornton Police Officer Arthur Brown in the fatal shooting of Darylray Lopez on Sept. 5, 2022. DA Brian Mason concluded that Brown used justifiable force after Lopez did not follow orders to drop his knife and instead charged at Brown with his knife extended at the officer.
