AURORA, Colo. — A 17-year-old who called 911 threatening to shoot up a gas station and fire at responding officers was fatally shot by police after advancing on them and refusing commands, CBS News Colorado reported.
The Sept. 18 incident began when the 17-year-old used the gas station’s landline to call 911 and report himself, according to the report.
“He threatened to commit mass violence,” said Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain during the press conference. “He said he had the intent and he said what he was going to do specifically.”
Audio from the 911 call released by police reveals the 17-year-old telling the dispatcher he had a loaded 9mm handgun in his left pocket and claimed he planned to open fire on the public and officers.
“I’m about to shoot the place up and I think the cops need to come here right away,” the suspect can be heard telling a dispatcher.
When asked if there was a reason he wanted to shoot up the store, the suspect replied: “Honestly, I’m waiting for the cops to show up so I can just shoot at them … I’m just tired of the cops.”
The suspect also told the dispatcher he had a loaded 9mm handgun in his left pocket.
Bodycam footage shows officers arriving at the scene with weapons drawn, issuing commands for the suspect to show his hands. Instead, he advanced toward the officers, ignoring their orders.
Officers retreated, used cover and deployed less-lethal rounds in an attempt to de-escalate. The suspect continued to approach with his hands in his pockets, leading an officer to fire shots, striking him.
The officers rendered medical aid at the scene, but the suspect succumbed to his injuries.
Officers later discovered that the suspect did not have a gun at any point during the incident.
“Those officers were responding to an active shooter call,” said Chamberlain. “They were not responding to somebody in mental health crisis.”
