UPDATE: After positively identifying the male responsible for shooting two other protesters on Interstate 225, we now have a signed arrest warrant for the shooter. The arrest warrant was applied for through the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office. After the warrant application was accepted by the District Attorney's Office, a judge signed the arrest warrant based on the facts and probable cause provided.
The male has been positively identified as Samuel Young (07/08/1997). His warrant was for four (4) counts of Attempted Homicide. Samuel Young is the person of interest previously released.
Samuel Young has just been taken into custody by Aurora Police. A booking photo will be available at a later time.
We are still urging anyone with pictures or videos that show the actions of the Jeep driver, prior to driving through the group of protesters, to reach out to Metro Denver Crime Stoppers. We also need any eyewitnesses of this incident to contact Sgt. Jeff Longnecker of the Major Crimes/Homicide Unit for an interview. The Aurora Police Department continues to investigate other incidents of violence during the protest march on the highway.
Officer Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720.432.5095
Information Previously Released July 27
(July 27th, 2020) UPDATE: Thank you to everyone who submitted their tips. We have positively identified this male.
We will not be releasing his identity at this time but are hopeful to have additional information later today.
Officer Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720.432.5095
Information Previous Released July 26
(July 26th, 2020) UPDATE: Through pictures provide to us from a witness, this male is considered a person of interest in the shooting of two people on Interstate 225.
We are seeking any information regarding this males identity.
If you recognize this male, or have any information about his actions yesterday, please contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867).
 
Officer Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720.432.5095
Information Previously Released July 26th
(July 26, 2020) On July 25, 2020, at approximately 6:35 P.M., protesters began to walk northbound on Interstate 225 from East Alameda Parkway.
Around 7:00 P.M. Aurora Police observed, from a media helicopter, a Jeep that was traveling northbound on I-225 heading towards the protesters. The Jeep then drives into the crowd. While the Jeep was being driven through the crowd, multiple shots were fired by a protester. At this time it is unknown if multiple people fired their weapons, or if it was just one individual. Also, there have been no reported injuries reported to us about anyone being hit by this vehicle.
Two people were struck by gunfire. One adult male was shot in the leg and had to be transported to the hospital by ambulance. Another adult male was shot in the head, only causing a graze wound. He was transported to the hospital by a private vehicle.
The Jeep continued northbound on I-225, eventually exiting the interstate at East 6th Avenue. The driver pulled over at E. 6th Ave and Billings Street when he located officers who were investigating a separate, unrelated crash at that location. The driver was positively identified, questioned, and the Jeep was impounded for evidentiary purposes.
During preliminary interviews with the Jeep driver, he advised officers that while on I-225, his vehicle began to be surrounded by protesters who were yelling and striking his vehicle. He also claims that a white pickup truck struck the front of his vehicle. He claims that the reason that he drove towards the protesters is because he was scared and trying to get away.
Detectives are in contact with the shooting victims who might have captured pictures or videos of the incident. One of the victims remains hospitalized with his injuries.
We are seeking the public’s assistance. We need any pictures, videos, or eyewitness accounts that show the events leading up to the Jeep driving into the crowd. Those can be submitted to Denver Metro Crime Stoppers.
We are also seeking pictures, videos, and eyewitnesses who observed the shooting. We are actively working to identify the shooter(s) responsible for shooting into a crowd and injuring two people. Those tips can also be submitted to Denver Metro Crime Stoppers.
The Aurora Police Department Major Crimes Unit spent time today at the incident scene investigating and searching for evidence. This investigation temporarily closed the lanes of northbound I-225 and we thank motorists for their patience today. The event organizers have not yet reached out to detectives, therefore this is the reason we are seeking the public's assistance. If anyone has information to share, tipsters who contact Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.
Once all of the evidence is gathered, this case will be presented to the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office for criminal culpability.
Please see the following statement from Chief Wilson:
“I not only find great concern with someone making the decision to drive their vehicle toward protesters on the interstate but that someone in the protester group opened fire, recklessly shooting two people.
We will be working with our District Attorney to discuss appropriate charges for the driver as well as working tirelessly to identify the shooter(s) on the interstate.
Any witnesses are urged to report what they saw to Denver Metro Crime Stoppers.”
Officer Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720.432.5095
Family Book Club
with Tess
"The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles" - Part 3 (Chapters 1-8 + Epilogue)
- What is your favorite creature that the Potters and Professor meet in Whangdoodleland?
- Were you afraid they would never make it to the castle?
- Were you surprised that the Prock finally allowed them to meet the Whangdoodle?
- What did you think of the Whangdoodle?
- Did you think the Professor's experiment would work?
- How did you like the ending?
- How did you like the book overall?
Activity: Create your own Whangdoodle creature and send me a picture at [email protected]!
August Family Book Club
August's book is "One Crazy Summer" by Rita Williams-Garcia, a work of historical fiction and the winner of the Newbery Medal Winner & Corretta Scott King Award Winner in 2011.
Summary:
In the summer of 1968, after traveling from Oakland, California to spend a month with the mother they barely know, Delphine and her two younger sisters arrive to a cold welcome as they discover that their mother, a dedicated poet, is resentful of their intrusion and wants them to attend a nearby Black Panther summer camp.
The reading schedule will be posted on Monday, Aug. 3. Be sure to get a copy! Call the Tallyn's Reach Library at 303.627.3050 or visit in person for a physical copy. It is also available as an audiobook via RBDigital Audiobooks and as an eBook via Overdrive (Libby) and HooplaDigital. Access all three digital platforms with your library card.
Harry Potter-Inspired Spell Books
by Julie S.
**Video may contain spoilers**
Join APL staff each week for a discussion of some of their current reads! Each week they will discuss a book from a different genre. Join the discussion live on at Facebook.com/AuroraLibrary each Friday at 1 p.m. (MST) and leave your thoughts in the comments below!
The next discussion will be at 1 p.m. on July 31, 2020 on our Facebook page and will feature "FantasticLand" by Mike Bockoven (available instantly on hoopladigital.com).
Review of "The Last Wish: Introducing the Witcher" by Andrzej Sapkowski
by Nicole S.
Hello again! Like I said before I have been participating in a virtual book club with some of my friends from Wisconsin which has been incredibly enjoyable for me to be able to read other books I normally wouldn’t choose for myself and learning more about my friends’ reading tastes.
After reading two different suspenseful thrillers in a row we decided to dive into the fantasy genre with our next pick - “The Last Wish: Introducing The Witcher” by Andrzej Sapkowski. For those who don’t know this book is actually one of two collections of short stories that paves the way for the Witcher Saga novels surrounding the main character Geralt of Rivia.
This book was originially published in Polish in 1993 with an English translation later in 2007. This book contains six short stories which sheds a little light on Geralt’s many adventures. Having been injured in a battle and while resting at a temple, he is experiencing flashbacks from certain time’s in his life.
These short stories have been adapted to video games, film and a recent television series on Netflix starring Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia.
The character Geralt of Rivia, one of the few remaining witchers on the Continent, is a traveling monster slayer for hire, mutated and trained from an early age to slay deadly beasts. This puts the series of the Witcher in the fantasy genre. “Fantasy is defined as a form of literary genre in which a plot cannot occur in the real world. Its plot usually involves witchcraft or magic, taking place on an undiscovered planet of an unknown world. Its overall theme and setting involve a combination of technology, architecture, and language, which sometimes resemble European medieval ages. The most interesting thing about fantasies is that their plot involves witches, sorcerers, mythical and animal creatures talking like humans, and other things that never happen in real life (https://literarydevices.net/fantasy/)”
For those starting this book who haven’t read or watched any of its adaptations could make getting through the names and places a little difficult. One of the big reasons I wanted to start reading the Witcher novels was due to the first season of the “Witcher” on Netflix. I enjoy reading and watching anything fantasy and the different characters portrayed throughout the show were amazing. My favorite being Geralt of Rivia. Being trained to be a monster hunter from such an early age, Geralt is seen as both highly respected and highly feared. He has a gruff and cold demeanor towards everyone he meets yet at the same time he has a strict moral code when it comes to the monsters he hunts and kills. He is a very complex character and I thought that the books would give more of an insight to how he thinks because it is hard to portray someone’s inner conscience on the screen.
It is recommended to start with “The Last Wish” and even the other short story collection “Sword of Destiny” before diving into first of the “Witcher” novels, “Blood of Elves”. The reason behind this is because the first book in the series precedes the events that occur during the two short story collections. You follow Geralt of Rivia on his quests while meeting some key characters along the way.
If you do end up enjoying the short story collections then continue on and immerse yourself in Geralt’s journey through all six of the Witcher books! Check out the series from APL here.
Once you finish those and need to have more high fantasy novels check out “The Red Knight” by Miles Cameron or ‘”Assassin’s Apprentice” by Robin Hobb.
Check back for my next review of the next book club pick - “Ink and Bone” by Rachel Caine.
WHAT: Protest Event
WHEN: Saturday July 25, 2020
WHERE: 15001 East Alameda Parkway
AURORA, Colorado - Having a peaceful demonstration is most meaningful when everyone chooses to be respectful, law-abiding, and civil. It’s equally important to realize everyone has a right to lawfully assemble, and Colorado law prohibits disrupting a lawful assembly. The goal with this advisory is to provide helpful information for those planning on attending the protest at the Aurora Police Department (APD) Headquarters Saturday July 25, 2020.
Free Speech is Important: The APD values citizens’ free speech rights. Freedom of Speech includes a variety of expressive words, printed words, and expressive conduct. However, there are limits. For example, “Fighting Words,” or words that are inherently likely to provoke a violent reaction or a breach of the peace through retaliation, are not protected by the First Amendment. Additionally, criminal conduct, such as theft and destruction of another’s property or physical assault of another person, and trespassing is not protected by the First Amendment. We ask for the public’s help in ensuring that the event remains a place for free speech and lawful activity.
To Get Information Day-Of: APD will be using Twitter for messaging to the public and media. To receive those messages please follow us on Twitter at the @AuroraPD profile.
If You See Something, Say Something: We ask members of the public, to constantly be aware of their surroundings, and immediately report any safety concerns. You can do so by calling dispatch at 303-627-3100. At any time during the event, if there is a life-threatening emergency, please call 911. Otherwise, the non-emergency number is 303-627-3100 for police and fire assistance. Some police reports can be filed online at any time by clicking HERE.
Facilities: All buildings on the Aurora Municipal Center Campus will be closed to the public on July 25th, 2020. Attendees should plan accordingly for simple first aid needs, weather, hydration, and food.
Excessive Noise: Please be advised the use of using bullhorns, noisemakers, and like devices cause actual physical pain, or bodily injury, to attendees, which is unlawful.
Safety and Officer Conduct: Our officers are there to ensure the safety of those attending the event. If an officer contacts you, please remain cordial and comply with any orders the officer may have given you. If you have concerns, questions or compliments you can relay that information to www.AuroraPolice.com. To ensure everyone’s safety the following additional regulations will be in effect:
Sticks poles, pipes, bats or similar objects will not be permitted.
- Sticks being used as supports for signs, posters, banners or flags may only be permitted under all of the following conditions:
- They are attached and remain attached to a sign, poster, banner or flag at all times.
- They are made of wood. No metal, PVC, glass, or other material allowed for sign supports.
- They are 40" or less in length.
- They are blunt on each end. No sharp supports are allowed.
Violation of these rules will be grounds to deny access or removal from the protest area, and refusal to leave will be a violation of Aurora Municipal Code (AMC) 94-71, Trespass.
Drones: The publics use of Drones are not permitted at this event.
Accident Alert and Priority Dispatch: During this event APD will be on accident alert and priority dispatch protocol from noon until the event is over due to limited police resources. If you are involved in an accident during this time that involve any of the following:
· Injuries
· Hit-and-Run
· DUI involving alcohol and/or drugs
· One or more vehicles are not drivable
· One driver does not have proof of insurance
Please call 303-627-3100 for an officer to respond. All other traffic accidents should be filed online by clicking HERE or you can respond to the APD headquarters lobby located at 15001 East Alameda Parkway with all involved drivers the following day to complete the accident report.
Priority dispatch means APD will only respond to in-progress calls where life is in danger, and all other calls for service will potentially have significantly extended wait times for a response. We understand this is frustrating, but we appreciate your patience.
Dispersal Orders: As a last resort, APD may have to give dispersal orders to the crowd and will do so in both English and Spanish. This will only occur when there is a clear and present danger of immediate threat to safety.
Please follow all orders immediately and peacefully while evacuating the area. If a dispersal order is given, all attendees will be given directions on a safe route to leave the area.
Media: The media can use the below phone number and email address for incident response inquiries, and interview requests:
720-432-5095
[email protected]
Our number one priority is ensuring the safety of those attending the event and our officers. The Aurora Police Department respects and upholds the constitutional rights of our community including the right to express and exercise free speech. We will continue to balance these rights with the protection of property, safety and life. We appreciate the community’s partnership in this regard and encourage everyone to remain peaceful and civil.
Agent Faith Goodrich
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720.432.5095
Fantastical Reimaginings: Alice in Wonderland
by Nicole S.
"Curiouser and curiouser!" How many of you had always wanted to fall down a rabbit hole and visit Wonderland yourself? I know I have! Alice in Wonderland has been a favorite story of mine and my infatuation with it grows as I get older. Do you know about where the original story came from?
History
The story of Alice in "Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland" was published in 1865 by Lewis Carroll, also known as Charles Lutwidge Dodgson. It is said that this story was inspired by the stories Charles told to the daughters of a close family friend on a boat outing. Alice Liddell, her sisters, their father, the scholar Henry Liddell, and Charles are all inspirations for some of the characters in the Alice in Wonderland story. To this day it is considered to be one of the best examples of the literary nonsense genre. It has never gone out of print and has been translated into 97 languages.
The Original
The story starts with a bored and drowsy seven-year old Alice sitting on the riverbank with her sister. She starts to daydream and notices a white rabbit with a pocket watch run past her. She follows the rabbit down the rabbit hole into Wonderland. The novel has twelve chapters each with Alice’s journey into Wonderland which includes creating a pool of tears, advice from a blue caterpillar, a very mad tea party and of course the Queen of Hearts playing croquet.
Alice in Wonderland Retellings
So, how much has this classic fairy tale changed over the years? Are the retellings similar or impossibly different? Find out more about similar tales below!
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Disney’s "Alice in Wonderland"
Available on Hoopla
Disney’s "Alice In Wonderland" takes the story written by Lewis Carroll and visually lets us take a closer look into Wonderland. The story follows fairly similar to the original story minus some of Carroll’s chapters that involve minor characters, such as the Mock Turtle and the dormouse, and a trial that Alice attends due to being accused of stealing Queen’s tarts.
Disney went on to create a live action version of both "Alice in Wonderland" and "Alice Through the Looking Glass", both works by Lewis Carroll. These versions however have Alice revisiting “Underland”, as a nineteen year old girl who believes that she had only dreamt of visiting Underland when she was girl.
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"Splintered" by A.G. Howard
Available on Hoopla
Splintered follows the story of Alyssa Gardner who is a descendant of Alice Liddell, the inspiration for the stories of Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. Alyssa has a deep dark secret; she can hear insects and flowers talking. Her mother is locked up in a mental hospital for having this as well. In fact all of the women in the family are cursed with this so called gift. When Alyssa meets a beautiful and mysterious stranger who tells her Wonderland is a real place and going there will help her break her family’s curse she has a decision to make: Save her family from this curse or be destined to go mad like her mother?
This tells parts of the original story of Alice but in a great twist. In this book Alyssa has to go back to Wonderland and “fix” all the mistakes that the original Alice made. This is one of my favorite series because I enjoy Howard’s imaginative and vivid description of Wonderland and using the inspiration of the original tale but spinning it in her own unique way.
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"Alice in Zombieland" by Gena Showalter
Available on Hoopla
In "Alice in Zombieland", Alice Bell has lived under one strict rule from her father: Don’t leave the house at night because of the “monsters.” On Alice’s 16th birthday, her and her family are attacked by zombies on the way home from her sister’s dance recital. Sadly, only Alice survives - and zombies are real?!? While living with her grandparents, Alice is consumed by guilt and decides to avenge her family. In order to survive she must trust the baddest of the bad boys, Cole Holland. But Cole has a secret of his own.
This story includes some references to the original story of Alice but for the most part it is an entirely new story all on its own.
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If you would like to continue your journey through Wonderland, check out these other Alice in Wonderland retellings available on Hoopla!
o "Heartless" by Marissa Meyer
o "Death Of The Mad Hatter" by Sarah J. Pepper, Deb Lebakken, Heather Banta, Emily DeHaan
o "After Alice" by Gregory Maguire
o "Reagan Through The Looking Glass" by Allyson Lindt
o "A Blade So Black" by L.L. McKinney
"We're all mad here." - Cheshire Cat
Picture credits: Disney, Bantom Classics, Hoopla
Let's get gardening! We have partnered with our friends at Tagawa Gardens for a series of gardening videos showing tips and tricks to get your garden growing!
In this week's video, Luan shares the basics for beginners. These include prepping the soil, how to pick the prefect plants for your space, tips and tricks for planting, the benefits of mulch and how to care for your garden, including watering, feeding and fertilizing, use of pesticides and maintaining your beautiful space. Let's get gardening - together!
On July 23, 2020, around 10:50 P.M., Aurora Police Officers and Aurora Fire Rescue responded to the intersection of Gun Club Road and South Picadilly Street on reports of a vehicle crash.
When officers arrived on scene, they located 2 people who had been ejected from an SUV. Both of those individuals, one whom is an adult female and the other an adult male, were pronounced deceased on scene. Their identities will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroners Office after positive identification and notification of next-of-kin.
Initial investigation shows that the SUV was traveling westbound on Gun Club Road, at a high rate of speed, when it lost control. The vehicle then began to roll, ejecting both occupants, and eventually comes to rest after striking a power line and causing damage to that pole.
We are asking anyone who may have witnessed this crash, has dash-cam footage, or if you have any information about this incident, please contact the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867) or reach out to the Aurora Police Department Traffic Unit.
Officer Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720.432.5095
On July 23, 2020, at 9:12 P.M., Aurora Police Officers and Aurora Fire Rescue responded to a crash at East Hampden Avenue and South Kalispell Street.
Initial investigation reveals that a black Ford Mustang was traveling westbound on East Hampden Avenue. An adult male was riding his bicycle and was going northbound on South Kalispell Street. It is unknown at this time who had the right-of-way. The bicycle was struck while in the crosswalk area and the driver and vehicle involved remained on scene. At this time, it does not appear that speed or alcohol was a factor.
Investigators for our Traffic Unit will attempt to reconstruct the scene to determine speeds and other contributing factors of the crash. The identity of the deceased male will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office after positive identification and next-of-kin notification.
We are asking anyone who may have witnessed this crash, has dash cam footage, or if you have any information about this incident, please contact the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867) or reach out to the Aurora Police Department Traffic Unit.
Officer Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720-432-5095
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