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The Aurora Police News Blog was created in 2016 as a new way to share news and information from the Aurora Police Department with the community we serve. It is maintained by the staff of the Public Information Officer.
Public Information Officer Staff:
Sergeant Faith Goodrich - Unit Supervisor
Agent Matthew Longshore - Public Information Officer
Joe Moylan - Public Information Officer
Sydney Edwards - Public Information Officer
To reach a member of the Public Information Officer call 720.432.5095 or email [email protected]. If you are a member of the public and you have a question, general request, comment or concern, please email [email protected].
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DISCLAIMER: Information is subject to change as case investigations proceed. Individuals arrested on the basis of probable cause have not been charged. All arrestees are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
(April 3) The Aurora Police Department Traffic Section is investigating a fatal crash that occurred on South Buckley Road leaving one pedestrian dead.
On April 3, 2022 at about 9:37 p.m., it is believed that at least one vehicle traveling north on South Buckley Road at East Exposition Drive struck an adult male pedestrian who was walking westbound across South Buckley Road. Additionally, a different vehicle also travelling north on South Buckley Road, later struck the pedestrian. The driver of that vehicle remained on scene and no drugs or alcohol is suspected to be contributing factors.
The victim was tragically pronounced at the scene, the Arapahoe County Coroner will release the victim's name after positive identification and notification of next-of-kin.
Anyone who was driving in the area of South Buckley Road near East Exposition Drive or who witnessed this fatal accident or has any information, including dash camera footage is urged to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers by calling 720.913.7867. By using Crime Stoppers, tipsters can remain anonymous and are eligible for a rewards of up to $2,000.
Officer Elizabeth McGregor
Public information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
(March 30) The Aurora Police Major Crimes Homicide Unit is investigating after a woman was shot and killed.
On March 30, 2022 at about 12:50 a.m., the Aurora Police Department responded to the parking lot of 9796 East Mexico Avenue, on reports of multiple shots fired in the area. Upon officers' arrival, they located an adult woman suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Tragically, the woman was pronounced deceased on the scene.
Detectives from the department's Major Crimes Homicide Unit responded to the scene and are responsible for this investigation. At this early stage in the investigation, the facts and circumstances that led up to this death, to include suspect descriptions, are still being determined.
The Arapahoe County Coroner's Office will release the victim's name after positive identification and notification of next-of-kin.
Anyone who witnessed this shooting or has information about this homicide is asked to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.7867. By using Crime Stoppers, tipsters can remain anonymous and are eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.
Officer Elizabeth McGregor
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
(March 29) The Aurora Police Major Crimes Homicide Unit is investigating after a woman was shot and killed and another woman left in critical condition.
On March 29, 2022 at about 5:10 a.m., the Aurora Police Department responded to the parking lot of 11895 East Archer Place, on a welfare check. Upon officers' arrival, they located two women suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Tragically, one woman was pronounced deceased on the scene and the second was transported to a local hospital in critical condition.
Detectives from the department's Major Crimes Homicide Unit responded to the scene and were responsible for this investigation. At this early stage in the investigation, the facts and circumstances that led up to this death, to include suspect descriptions, are still being determined.
The Arapahoe County Coroner's Office will release the victim's name after positive identification and notification of next-of-kin.
Anyone who witnessed this shooting or has information about this homicide is asked to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.7867. By using Crime Stoppers, tipsters can remain anonymous and are eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.
Officer Elizabeth McGregor
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
(March 28) ARREST MADE
Following up on investigative leads, The Major Crimes Homicide Unit made an arrest earlier today in Denver. The suspect, who is the brother of the deceased victim, has been identified as Jimmy Lee Churchill. He was arrested for 1st Degree Murder and Possession of a Weapon by a Previous Offender. Investigators believe that the two brothers were involved in a verbal altercation in the motel room before the shooting occurred. Churchill is currently being held at the Aurora Detention Center on a no bond hold.
Jimmy Churchill DOB 12/18/1988
Officer Elizabeth McGregor
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
Information previously released on March 28, 2022
(March 28) The Aurora Police Major Crimes Homicide Unit is investigating after a man was shot and killed.
On March 28, 2022 at about 4:22 a.m., the Aurora Police Department responded to the Radiant Inn, located at 10950 East Colfax Ave, on a report of a shooting inside one of the rooms. Upon officers’ arrival, they located a 47-year-old man suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Tragically the man was pronounced deceased on the scene.
Detectives from the department's Major Crimes Homicide Unit responded to the scene and were responsible for this investigation. At this early stage in the investigation, the facts and circumstances that led up to this death, to include suspect descriptions, are still being determined.
The Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office will release the victim’s name after positive identification and notification of next-of-kin.
Anyone who witnessed this shooting or has information about this homicide is asked to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.7867. By using Crime Stoppers, tipsters can remain anonymous and are eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.
Officer Elizabeth McGregor
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
(March 25) The Aurora Police Major Crimes Homicide Unit is investigating after a person was found dead in a field in northeast Aurora.
On March 25, 2022, about 7:15 a.m., the Aurora Police Department responded to the area of East 56th Avenue near E470 on reports of a down party. Officers located a person lying in the field just off the roadway. This person was pronounced deceased on the scene.
Detectives from the department's Major Crimes Homicide Unit responded to the scene and will be responsible for this investigation. At this early stage in the investigation, the facts and circumstances that led up to this death, to include suspect information, are still to be determined.
The Major Crimes Homicide Unit is asking for anyone who was traveling last night along East 56th Avenue, between E470 and Picadilly Road, and observed anything suspicious, to please call Detective Jonsgaard at 303-739-6127 or Sergeant Longnecker at 303-739-6041. Tipsters can also report anything suspicious to Metro Denver Crime Stoppers by calling 720.913.7867 and be eligible for a reward of up-to $2,000.
The Adams County Coroner's Office will release the victim's name after positive identification and notification of next-of-kin.
Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
(March 18) The Aurora Police Traffic Section is investigating after two pedestrians struck and killed on East Colfax Avenue.
On Friday, March 18, 2022, at about 7:50 p.m., Aurora Police responded a crash involving multiple pedestrians near the intersection of East Colfax Avenue and North Uvalda Street.
The preliminary investigation has revealed that a man was crossing East Colfax Avenue and was not utilizing a crosswalk. This man was struck by a Mitsubishi sedan traveling westbound on East Colfax Avenue. Immediately after this collision, the driver of the Mitsubishi pulled over to render aid. After that driver exited his vehicle, he was then struck by a separate vehicle, a Mercury Mountaineer, also traveling westbound on East Colfax Avenue. That Mercury then immediately pulled over and remained on scene.
The first pedestrian was pronounced deceased on scene. The second pedestrian, the driver of the Mitsubishi, was transported to the hospital and pronounced deceased a short time later. Investigators do not believe that speed or alcohol were contributing factors for either driver.
The identifications of both men will be released by the Adams County Coroner’s Office once they have been positively identified and their next-of-kin have been notified.
We ask anyone who may have witnessed this crash or has dash-camera footage of the crash, and has not yet spoken to police, to contact the Aurora Police Traffic Section.
Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
(March 17) On Friday, August 6, 2021, the Aurora Police Department received a report pertaining to allegations of child exploitation involving Darnell Ward (DOB: 02/21/1978). The investigation confirmed the allegations of the original victim and investigators learned of two other additional victims.
The investigation determined that Ward occasionally was a parent spectator at Overland High School girls’ basketball games and would help record scores for the game. However, he was not an official volunteer. It is believed Ward also has helped with sporting events in the Denver Metro area schools. Based on Ward’s history and past allegations, Investigators believe there are additional victims who have been victimized by Ward and have not yet reported it.
On Wednesday, March 9, 2022, Ward was arrested for charges related to Child Exploitation and Sexual Assault in Phoenix, Arizona. Since his arrest, Ward has been extradited to Colorado. The 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office will be prosecuting this case, and any additional media inquiries should be directed there.
Our Victim Services Unit is working closely with the families to offer support and help them work through this difficult event.
If there are any additional victims who are wishing to report to the police, they are asked to call Police Dispatch at (303) 627-3100 immediately. Anyone with additional information about this incident is encouraged to call the Internet Crimes Against Children at 303.739.6711.
Ward is pictured below:
Officer Francisco Saucedo
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
(March 10, 2022) The Aurora Police Department has made four arrests in connection to a shooting that occurred on Wednesday Night at the Quality Inn.
Shortly after the initial shooting call, Aurora911 received a report of another person shot at North Chambers Road and East Smith Road. Officers from the Aurora Police Gang Intervention Unit contacted three juvenile males and one 18-year-old male. They discovered that the adult male was suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Officers were quickly able to determine that all the subjects had been involved in the shooting and took them into custody. The adult male was taken into custody this afternoon after he was released from the hospital. All four of the subjects have been arrested for 1st Degree Murder. Due to their ages Aurora Police will not be releasing the names or booking photos of the juveniles. The adult who was arrested is Rafael Bergeron Martinez of Westminster.
Detectives are still looking for witnesses and other people who may have been involved in the altercation that lead up to this shooting. Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.7867.
“I want to highlight the exceptional teamwork that these arrests represent. Our officers and detectives from patrol, the Gang Unit and the Major Crimes Homicide Unit worked quickly to apprehend these violent criminals.”
--Vanessa Wilson, Chief of Police
“Last night, our community was, once again, shaken by the news of gun violence involving young people. A 16-year-old is dead, and several others are hurt as a result of this mass shooting. This is yet another horrific case of a teen losing their life because too many young people have easy and unsupervised access to firearms. Parents and trusted adults, please talk with teens about whether they have a gun. Gun owners, sales of guns spiked during COVID and we are seeing many guns being stolen out of vehicles or other unsecure locations that end up in the hands of teenagers. Please secure your guns properly so you can ensure that there is one less gun out on the street.”
--District Attorney Brian Mason, 17th Judicial District (Adams and Broomfield Counties)
Rafael Bergeron Martinez, DOB: 12/08/2003
Lieutenant Chris Amsler
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
Information previously released on March 10, 2022:
(March 10) The Aurora Police Major Crimes Homicide Unit is investigating after a juvenile was shot and killed. Two other adult females were transported to the hospital, and a fourth victim self-transported to the hospital.
On March 9, 2022, about 07:05 p.m., the Aurora Police Department responded to the Quality Inn, located at 3300 N Ouray Street, on a report of a shooting inside the hotel, near the pool. Upon officers' arrival, they located a 16-year-old male juvenile suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Tragically, the juvenile was pronounced deceased on the scene.
Shortly after the shooting, officers located a 20-year-old and a 19-year-old adult female suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Both females were transported to a local hospital in serious condition. The suspects left the scene prior to officers' arrival.
At approximately 07:39 p.m., officers were advised that a fourth victim, of unknown age, had self-transported to the hospital suffering from an apparent gunshot wound and expected to survive.
Detectives from the department's Major Crimes Homicide Unit responded to the scene and were responsible for this investigation. At this early stage in the investigation, the facts and circumstances that led up to this death, to include suspect descriptions, are still being determined.
The Adams County Coroner's Office will release the victim's name after positive identification and notification of next-of-kin.
Anyone who witnessed this shooting or has information about this homicide is asked to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.7867. By using Crime Stoppers, tipsters can remain anonymous and are eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.
This is Aurora's seventh homicide of 2022.
Officer Francisco Saucedo
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
(March 4) The Aurora Police Department Traffic Investigations Unit is announcing the arrest of Adan Antonio Tobias-Ramirez (DOB: 09/23/1999). Adan was arrested for Colorado Revised Statute 42-4-1601 Left scene after accident involving death. A booking photo is not available at this time.
This case is being prosecuted by the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office and any additional media inquires should be directed there.
Officer Francisco Saucedo
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Information previously released on September 9, 2021
(September 9) UPDATE: The Aurora Police Department Traffic Section Investigators have ruled out the white SUV/minivan as a suspect vehicle.
During the course of their investigation, officers located the white SUV/minivan in question and determined that the vehicle was not involved in this crash.
The Aurora Police Department Traffic Investigators are still seeking information about the white vehicle with tinted windows involved in this fatal crash. Anyone who may have witnessed this crash, has dash-camera footage, or any additional information, is asked to reach out to Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 303.913.STOP. Your tips can remain anonymous and you may still be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.00.
Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
Information Previously Released on September 8
The Aurora Police Department Traffic Section is investigating a fatal hit and run crash that occurred on East Colfax Avenue and North Akron Street.
(September 8) On September 7, 2021 at 11:56 p.m., Aurora Police officers responded to the area of East Colfax Avenue and North Akron Street on a report of person laying on the ground.
Once on scene, officers discovered a 35-year-old male who was suffering from a significant head injury. The victim was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. Tragically, today the victim died from his injuries. The name of victim will be released by the Adams County Coroner’s Office after he has been positively identified and his next-of-kin have been notified.
The Aurora Police Department Traffic Section investigated the scene and determined the victim was crossing East Colfax Avenue, northbound, at North Akron Street, when a vehicle struck the victim and then fled the scene. Investigators have identified a white SUV/minivan along with a small white sedan, pictured below, with dark tinted windows as possibly being involved. Investigators will continue working to identifying the vehicles and their drivers involved in this crash. No additional information is available at this time.
The Aurora Police Department is asking anyone who may have witnessed this crash or otherwise have any information related to this incident, to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP. Your tips can remain anonymous and you may still be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.00.
Officer Francisco Saucedo
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
 
(February 20, 2022) The Aurora Police Traffic Section is investigating a one car fatal crash that occurred in the Heather Gardens Neighborhood this morning.
At approximately 6:01a.m. the Aurora911 center received a report of a single car crash in the 2600 Block of South Abilene Street. Upon arrival first responders located a silver Dodge Ram pickup truck that was on it's side in the middle of the RTD light rail tracks that are just west of the roadway. A 33-year-old man who was driving the vehicle was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
Traffic Investigators believe the Dodge was traveling northbound on Abilene Street when it traveled off of the left side of the roadway. It traveled up onto the sidewalk and into the parking lot of an office building at that location. It continued to travel westbound through the parking lot, colliding with two fences and then dropping 6 feet down onto the RTD light rail tracks. The truck came to rest on it's passenger side. Alcohol is believed to be a contributing factor in this crash.
The name of the driver is not being released at this time and will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office once the deceased has been positively identified and his next of kin have been notified.
Lieutenant Chris Amsler
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
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