The Associated Press
AURORA, Colo.- A man accused of shooting and killing an Aurora police officer was charged Monday with first-degree murder.
Brian Allen Washington, 27, is also charged with seven other counts, including attempted first-degree murder of a second officer who arrived at the scene.
Washington is accused of shooting Detective Mike Thomas Wednesday while Thomas was in his personal car at an intersection. Thomas was not in uniform at the time of the shooting and police have not said why Thomas was targeted.
Citizens, two correctional officers and another police officer at the scene immediately apprehended Washington.
A preliminary hearing for Washington was set for Dec. 7 at 9 a.m.
Upwards of 3,000 police officers, firefighters and paramedics were expected to attend Thomas’ funeral, scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday at Heritage Christian Center, police spokesman Marcus Dudley said. Gov. Bill Owens was also scheduled to attend.
Police have not released details in the case or whether the suspect knew Thomas was a police officer.
Washington is also a suspect in a separate shooting last Monday at a Denver intersection. Investigators allege Washington was crossing a street when he stopped and fired into the windshield of a car stopped at a stop sign.
A 55-year-old woman driving the car ducked down and was not hurt. According to a Denver police spokeswoman, there was no indication the shooter knew the woman.