CUPD proactively requests assistance from ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ County Investigation Team
On Friday, Dec. 27, 2024 at approximately 8:15 a.m., CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ Police (CUPD) 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, CUPD 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. CUPD officers were able to take the uncooperative suspect into custody.Ìý The suspect continued to resist officers and additional assistance was requested from the ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ Police Department. American Medical Response (AMR) was also called to assist with the incident due to an injury to a CUPD officer and continued erratic behavior of the suspect.
AMR paramedics treated the suspect on scene and transported him to ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ 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 ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ County Coroner will determine the cause of death.
Out of an abundance of caution, CUPD 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, CUPD requested the BCIT conduct the investigation.
ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ County District Attorney Michael Dougherty stated, “I appreciate the CU Police Department alerting the ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ 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 CU’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, CUPD PIO
christine.mahoney@colorado.edu
720-237-7321