Consent decree monitor report raises questions over Aurora police shooting of Kilyn Lewis

In a report released last week, the monitor calls on APD to provide answers about what happened in Lewis’ death.

AURORA, Colo. — It’s been nearly five months since an Aurora Police officer shot and killed Kilyn Lewis while executing a warrant. In the months since, people in the community have joined Lewis’s family and friends in calling for answers and increased transparency from police over his death.

Aurora’s independent consent decree monitor, who has brought more oversight and scrutiny to the city and its police department in recent years, is now raising questions over Lewis’s death, too.

The consent decree monitor was initially set up following Aurora and APD’s handling of the death of Elijah McClain, in an effort to improve how officers use force and interact with people of color.

In a report released last week, that monitor calls on APD to provide answers about what happened in Lewis’ death.

“I think there are issues that have to be answered,” said Jeff Schlanger with IntegrAssure, Aurora’s independent consent decree monitor.

Lewis was fatally shot May 23 in the area of Alameda Avenue and Havana Street, as Aurora Police SWAT and the Denver Police Department’s fugitive unit were attempting to take him into custody in connection with an attempted homicide, according to Aurora Police.

Lewis was unarmed. Edited body camera video released by Aurora Police appears to show Lewis with his hands in the air, holding a cellphone, when one officer fires a single shot.

“There were some questions that were raised relative to the facts and circumstances surrounding the involvement of APD because this was a Denver arrest warrant that was being executed,” Schlanger said. “And there were questions with respect to the tactics that were employed, including whether or not there were less lethal options available during the encounter.”

The report also questions if APD’s tactical approach was appropriate, saying, “The tactics employed during the high-risk stop, including the decision to approach the subject without cover and without a less lethal option, warrant a thorough examination.”

It also notes that the officer who killed Lewis has been involved in prior shootings, raising concerns about how APD selects and retains SWAT team officers.

While the district attorney’s office announced earlier this month the officer who shot Lewis won’t be charged, Schlanger said an administrative review and a force review board are still looking at these issues.

“Obviously there needs to be a fresh look at the question of whether or not the officer reasonably believed that his life or the lives of others were in danger by the actions of Mr. Lewis,” Schlanger said.

Schlanger said in this phase of the consent decree, they’re keeping an eye on how APD is following its new policies, trainings and procedures. That includes a close look at what happened to Kilyn Lewis.

“APD recognizes that we need answers to the questions that we put into the report,” Schlanger said. “And I am certain that between the administrative investigation and the FRB, the force review board process, that we will get those answers.”

9NEWS reached out to Aurora Police Sunday afternoon about the questions raised in this report. We have not yet received a response.

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