On April 27th, 2018 at 9:42 pm Aurora Police Department officers responded to South Chambers Road and South Evantson Way on the report of an accident involving a vehicle and a motorcycle. The driver of the motorcycle was transported to a local hospital and was declared deceased.
The involvement of alcohol and speed are under investigation. The driver of the vehicle is cooperating with the investigation.
The identity of the motorcyclist is not being released at this time pending the notification of next of kin. If you have any information regarding this accident please contact:
Sgt. Mike Douglass
Aurora Police Traffic Section
303-739-6293
On April 25th, 2018 at 8:26 pm, officers responded to the location of E. Iliff Ave at S. Naples Way on the report of an accident involving a vehicle and a motorcycle. Aurora Fire Rescue Responded and the motorcycle driver was pronounced deceased on scene.
At this time, there are no initial indications that alcohol was involved, but speed may be a factor. The driver of the vehicle was transported to a local hospital with no injuries.
The identity of the motorcyclist is not being released at this time pending notification of next of kin.
If you have any information regarding this accident please contact:
Sgt. Mike Douglass
Aurora Police Traffic Section
303-739-6293
UPDATE: The second day of the event being held on Friday, April 27 has been cancelled due to the closure of all Aurora Public Schools. The video will be presented to Junior and Seniors in their classrooms next week.
Officer Kenneth Forrest
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
(720) 432-5095
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Information Previously Released on April 22, 2018
Local Organizations Host “Every 15 Minutes” Program at Rangeview High School
Two-day simulation to educate students on the dangers of drinking and driving
WHO: Aurora Police Department (PIO: Kenneth Forrest 720-432-5095)
Aurora Public Schools, Rangeview High School (PIO: Corey Christiansen 303-326-2755)
City of Aurora Courts and Detention Center (PIO: Michael Bryant 303-739-7181)
Medical Center of Aurora (PIO: Laura Stephens 303-873-5699)
Aurora Fire Rescue (PIO: Tony Krenz 720-477-0315)
Falck Ambulance
Arapahoe County Coroner
Health One Air Life
WHAT: The “Every 15 Minutes” Program is a two-day event that brings together high school juniors and seniors and challenges them to think about the consequences of drinking and driving. The program also educates students on personal safety, responsible and mature decision making and the impact their decisions can have on family, friends, the community and their futures. Students work with local organizations and family members to craft a scenario to act out in front of peers and role play the consequences of their decisions and actions.
WHEN: Thursday, April 26
(Please arrive at 11:30 a.m. to set-up before the crash scene begins at 12 p.m.)
WHY: Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in the U.S., more than homicide and suicide combined. There are at least 60 traffic fatalities in Colorado every year that can be attributed to distracted driving. Alcohol-related collisions are the leading cause of death among teenage youth.
The Aurora Police Department and Aurora Public Schools are partnering with Rangeview High School to host the “Every 15 Minutes” program in Aurora Colorado. The event brings together community leaders including the City of Aurora, Medical Center of Aurora, Aurora Fire Rescue, City of Aurora Courts and Detention Center, Arapahoe County Coroner, Health One Air Life and Falck Ambulance to take a proactive step in educating local high school students about making mature decisions when alcohol and drugs are involved.
Additional Information and Media Opportunity:
Media is welcome to attend the crash scene that will be simulated on April 26 at 12 p.m. There will be a designated area for media to set up, as there will be many moving components during the scenario (arrival of patrol cars, fire trucks, ambulances and a helicopter).
Interviews will be provided to media before or after the crash scene on April 26. If interested in filming other parts of the event, please contact the designated PIO to make arrangements.
Media are invited to attend the second day of the event on Friday, April 27 at 8 a.m. at Rangeview High School. Students, parents and teachers will gather to watch the video that was created on April 26, and there will be speakers including members of the Aurora Police Department and Faculty and Staff of Rangeview High School
Officer Kenneth Forrest
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
(720) 432-5095
This morning on April 21, 2018 at approximately 2:34 A.M., Aurora Police Officers responded to an automotive repair shop, located at 9230 East Colfax Avenue. Officers responded to this location on the report of a burglary in-progress, where a suspect was observed inside the business by live-feed security cameras.
As officers arrived, they observed an adult male suspect inside of the business. The officers could see that the male was suffering from apparent injuries. Officers entered the business and found the male to be armed with a lethal cutting instrument. In the presence of Officers, the male began to inflict injury to himself with the cutting instrument. As Officers approached the male, who was still armed with the cutting instrument, officers gave verbal orders and attempted to de-escalate the situation. The suspect then threatened officers with the weapon and officers responded by utilizing less lethal options that were available. These less lethal options proved to be ineffective and the suspect then resumed inflicting injuries to himself. The suspect then retreated and barricaded himself in another room inside of the business. In this room, Officers ultimately found the male to be unresponsive. He was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
During this incident, Officers showed great restraint and no duty weapons were fired. Because of the nature of the circumstances and because officers used less lethal force, the Aurora Police Department’s Major Crimes/Homicide Unit responded to resume the investigation. Per Colorado Senate Bill 217, the Denver Police Department also responded to assist our Detectives in their efforts.
The Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office will conduct an autopsy of the male to determine the manner in which he died. The Coroner will also identify the decedent pending positive identification and the notification of next of kin.
If anybody has information relating to this incident, please contact Detective Warren Miller at (303) 739-6117.
The investigation is in on-going and in its early stages and therefore no further information is available.
Officer Bill Hummel
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
(303) 432-5095
UPDATE: The Aurora Police Major Crimes/Homicide Unit has made an arrest of Cleveland Grimes (DOB 03/10/1982) in connection with the homicide that occurred on April 14, 2018 at 940 South Iola Street. Grimes, who is pictured below, was arrested for First Degree Murder.
The case is now in the hands of the 18th Judicial District and therefore further public inquiries into the details of the case will be referred to their organization.
If you have any information in regards to this incident, please contact Detective Todd Fredericksen at (303) 739-6106.
Sergeant Chris Neiman
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
(720) 432-5095
Information Previously Released on April 14, 2018
In the early hours of April 14, 2018 at approximately 4:30 A.M., Aurora Police Officers responded to 940 S. Iola St. on the report of an unknown problem. A report to dispatch indicated that a female was in distress at this approximate location.
As Officers arrived, they located 2 adult females associated with a vehicle that was near the above address. One of the females was suffering from an apparent gunshot wound and both females were subsequently transported to area hospitals. The female who was suffering from a gunshot wound sadly succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased at the hospital. The other female was treated for minor injuries and is expected to survive. It is unknown what circumstances lead up to the shooting incident but answering that question will be a focus for investigators as the investigation progresses. There is currently not a suspect in custody in connection with this incident
Detectives do not have any additional information that is available for public release at this time because they wish to protect the active investigation in its early stages. The identity of the victim will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office at a later date pending the notification of next of kin.
The Aurora Police Major Crimes/Homicide unit is handling the investigation into this matter. We are asking anybody with information about this incident to please call Detective Fredericksen at (303) 739-6106. Tipsters can also remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000 by calling Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at (720) 913-7867.
Officer Bill Hummel
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
(720) 432-5095
UPDATE: The Aurora Police Major Crimes/Homicide Unit has made an arrest of Shaun Davis (DOB 03/31/1986) in connection with the homicide that occurred on April 8, 2018 near East Mississippi Avenue and South Galena Street. Davis, who is pictured below, was arrested for the following charges: First Degree Murder, Attempt First Degree Murder and First Degree Assault.
The case is now in the hands of the 18th Judicial District and therefore further public inquiries into the details of the case will be referred to their organization.
If you have any information in regards to this incident, please contact Detective Randy Hansen at (303) 739-6710.
Sergeant Chris Neiman
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
(720) 432-5095
Information Previously Released on April 8, 2018
On April 8, 2018 at approximately 04:45 A.M., an adult male and an adult female arrived by vehicle at the University of Colorado Hospital located at 12605 E. 16th Ave. in Aurora. Both parties were suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.
While at the hospital, the female was pronounced deceased. The male remains in serious but stable condition.
Through the course of the investigation, it is believed that the shooting incident occurred in the area of E. Mississippi Ave. and S. Galena St. The identity of the deceased female will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office pending the positive identification of the victim and notification of next of kin.
This case is in its early stages and the Aurora Police Major Crimes Unit (MCU) is actively investigating the incident. As a part of the investigation, Detectives will determine what circumstances lead up to the shooting. As to protect the integrity of the active investigation, no further information is being released at this time. No persons are currently in custody in connection with this incident.
If any member of the public has any information about this incident, they are asked to contact MCU Detective Randy Hansen at (303) 739-6710. Tipsters can remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000 by contacting Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at (720) 913-7867.
Officer Bill Hummel
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
(720) 432-5095
On Sunday April 15th at 6:05 AM, Aurora Police responded to S. Havana St. & E. Kentucky Ave. for a crash where a pedestrian had been struck by a vehicle. They located a 71 year old male laying in the roadway with injuries consistent with having been struck by a vehicle. The pedestrian was conscious and alert, but was unable to give any description of the vehicle that struck him. He was transported to a local hospital where he subsequently died as a result of his injuries.
The Aurora Police Department Traffic Section is investigating this crash and encourages any witnesses to contact Detective Ragain at 303-739-6351. The Arapahoe County Coroner's Office will release the identity of the victim after notification of family.
Sgt. Chris Carleton
Traffic Investigations
303-739-6243
Post by Zach S.
With opening day over and the warm days of spring setting in, it’s time to get ready for a season filled with all things baseball! Whether you’re a lifetime fan who can name batting averages from memory or simply enjoy the foot long hot dogs at a game, we can all enjoy these fun baseball crafts, recipes and movies together.
We’ll start things off with my personal favorite – a baseball piñata! While it is a little more involved, it will certainly be the hit of your party. This craft comes from Easy Crafts For Kids.
Materials:
• Bowl
• Water
• Newspaper
• White Paint
• Red Marker
• Balloon
• Pin
• Glue
• Scissors
• Candy (wrapped)
Step 1:
Blow up a balloon. Make it about the size of a softball.
Cut out strips of newspaper. You want these strips to be about an inch width and a few inches long.
Mix your paper mache mixture - 3/4 glue 1/4 water.
Step 2:
Dip a piece of newspaper in the glue mixture, coating it completely. Take off the excess with your fingers.
Cover your balloon in moistened pieces of newspaper.
Make sure to leave a small area around the balloon end. This will allow you to pop the balloon and fill it with candy.
Step 3:
Once the balloon is covered, place it in the sink to dry.
Once it is partially dry add another layer of paper. This time use white paper so it is easier to paint the ball afterwards.
This can take up to 24 hours depending on your region and temperatures.
Step 4:
Once dry fill it with candy and cover the hole up with some white paper (covered in your glue mixture). Allow to dry.
Paint the balloon white. Allow to dry.
Step 5:
Draw on stitching with a red marker. This will be one large oval around the baseball - adding V marks around it.
************************************
I think it’s time for a snack to refuel after that project. How about baseball rice-krispie treats? This recipe comes to us from Domestically Speaking.
1. Make a batch of classic rice krispie treats but instead of putting them in a pan, put them in a cookie sheet with sides. This will make the rice krispie treats thinner for cutting.
2. Let them set up for about 30 minutes before using a round cookie cutter.
3. Melt some white chocolate in a glass pie pan.
4. Dip one side into the white chocolate.
5. Use a spoon to add some more white chocolate to the dipped tops and then smooth them with an off-set spatula.
6. Once they set up (about 30 minutes) use a red gel cake decorating tube to make the baseball stitching.
************************************
Now that we’re refueled and full of sugar, let’s get one more craft in before we’re done. Fingerprint baseballs! This craft comes from Crafty Morning and is a great one for the younger kids.
Materials:
 • White paper
• Red washable paint
• Scissors
• Red Marker
1. Start by drawing a circle onto a piece of paper and having the kids cut it out.
2. Take a red marker and draw two curved lines.
3. Have the kids dip their pointer finger in the red washable paint and make laces on the baseball. Let it dry and you’re done!
************************************
Top your busy day off with a baseball movie night! Check out this list of baseball themed movies from 3 Boys and a Dog. Stop into your Aurora Public Library to check out some of the movies below on DVD.
Hopefully these activities help you get your baseball season off to a great start! For any baseball books, movies, or other resources, stop into your Aurora Public Library branch and chat with us!
The press conference on this matter can be viewed by clicking the YouTube link below:
https://youtu.be/B5aNrLuJ5TU
Officer Bill Hummel
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
(720) 432-5095
Information previously released on April 10, 2018
In response to the incident that occurred last evening wherein an Aurora Police Officer was involved in a shooting with a suspect, Chief Nick Metz remarked to the suspect’s family, “Incidents like this are tragic on both sides of the spectrum. Our thoughts are with you [suspect’s family] and we will continue to offer support throughout the investigative process.”
Today during a news conference with media outlets, Chief of Police Nick Metz and Lieutenant Hershel Stowell with the Major Crimes/Homicide Unit addressed the public in providing additional information pertaining to last evening’s officer-involved shooting. A clearer picture of what occurred was relayed as follows:
At approximately 8:00 P.M. on April 9, 2018 a suspect was located inside a taxi cab near the Crossland Hotel located near East 38th Avenue and North Chambers Road. The said suspect, an adult male, was wanted by police in the City of Federal Heights for Attempt Murder involving a firearm. That incident occurred just a day prior on April 8, 2018. Having this information, members of the APD’s Strategic Response Team (SRT) and the Fugitive Apprehension and Surveillance Team (FAST) began actively attempting to locate the suspect, as he was believed to pose a serious threat to the community.
These officers had information that the suspect was in a taxi cab as a passenger. The suspect would not allow the driver of the taxi cab to exit the cab and ordered the driver at gunpoint to keep driving. The driver of the taxi cab came to a stop at a red light at East Smith Road and North Chambers Road. The driver fled the taxi leaving the wanted subject in the backseat, where he was now the sole occupant of the vehicle.
Officers from SRT, who were in unmarked vehicles, were adjacent to the taxi when it stopped for the red light. Upon seeing the taxi driver flee from the vehicle, they recognized an opportunity to take the subject into custody with minimal danger to the general public. As officers moved up to the vehicle to take the suspect into custody, shots were fired. Prior to shots being fired, warnings were given by officers. From the course of the investigation, it appears that the suspect fired at officers. The suspect was found to be armed with a handgun.
The suspect sustained injuries at the scene and immediately received medical treatment from an Aurora SWAT paramedic who was at the scene. The suspect was transported to an area hospital where he remains in serious condition as of the writing of this news release.
One officer, a 26-year law enforcement veteran, was placed on paid administrative leave after firing his weapon. This is the officer’s first officer-involved shooting.
Due to the nature of the multiple on-going criminal investigations, the suspect’s identity is not being released at this time and no further information is available for public release.
Anyone who might have witnessed this incident is asked to contact Detective Heath Graw with the Major Crimes/Homicide Unit at (303) 739-6213.
Officer Bill Hummel
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
(720) 432-5095
Information previously released on April 10, 2018
PRESS CONFERENCE REFERENCE OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING
WHAT: The Aurora Police Department
WHEN: Tuesday April 10, 2018, 3:15 p.m. (Media please arrive no later than 3:00 p.m.)
WHERE: Aurora Police Headquarters, Office of the Chief of Police, 15001 East Alameda Parkway
WHO: Chief of Police Nick Metz
CONTACT: Sergeant Chris Neiman, Public Information Officer for the Aurora Police Department
(720) 432-5095
Information Previously Released on April 9, 2018
On Monday April 9th, 2018 at approximately 8:00 pm officers with the Aurora Police Department received information that a wanted adult male suspect known to be armed and dangerous was in a vehicle near the intersection of North Chambers Road and East Smith Road. The suspect was wanted for serious crimes committed in the jurisdictions of Federal Heights and Aurora. Members of the Strategic Response Team attempted to apprehend the suspect when shots were fired.
No officers were injured during this incident. The suspect was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. The identity of the suspect is not being released at this time.
The officer/officers involved will be placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. The investigation is being handled by the Major Crimes/Homicide Unit in conjunction with the Denver Police Department. North Chambers Road will be closed in both directions for an undetermined amount of time between East 32nd Ave and East Smith Road while the scene is being processed by investigators.
Anyone who might have witnessed this incident is asked to contact Detective Heath Graw with the Major Crimes/Homicide Unit at 303.739.6213.
Sergeant Chris Neiman
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
Post by Laura R.
I grew up in the mountains of Northwest Colorado, in a log house in the middle of about seven acres of woods. I ran around barefoot in my favorite purple-flower dress every summer, on the trails beaten down by our horses. It was seemingly quiet at our house—so different from the Denver street I live on now—but my mom would often tell me to sit on the back porch and close my eyes and listen. She’d tell me to try to pick out as many different sounds as I could: the wind swishing through the pines, the creaks of their trunks as if they were talking to each other, the birdsong, squirrels chittering, branches falling, twigs cracking.
When my family went camping, I’d go on expeditions with my older sister, my mom, and my aunt. My sister and I splashed in creeks, picked wild flowers, and made mud piles. Sometimes I went walking alone. I’d look for special plants or creatures, like mushrooms or rose hips or bluebells or lizards. It was always a scavenger hunt. Each snail shell, each pine cone, each green rock or piece of mica felt like a discovery, a magical token that could protect or empower me.
Around that time, I started going to the library, and I see now how the magic of the forest was similar to the magic I found in the troves of books there. The silence, the sense that I was an adventurer about to discover something fascinating and beautiful, the time I spent alone dreaming—it was the same. I became obsessed with magical creatures, which I probably learned about from books. I loved stories about unicorns, fairies, magic, secrets. Of course I was sure there were fairies in the brambles behind our house. I felt them and their magic in the cool air in the evening, in the way the aspen leaves quivered, in the sarvis berries, in the rain. I felt it shoot up my spine when the wind started up before a storm and the clouds got dark and purple. Fairies just made sense.
My mother and aunt were the ones who taught me how to make fairy houses. We had a special place about a mile’s walk from our most frequented campsite. We called it Circle-of-Trees. I’d learned in books that one sign that fairies have visited are fairy rings—perfect circles of toadstools or moss. Well, we’d found a fairy circle made of lodgepole pine, a magic grove. We made fairy houses here as gifts to our tiny friends. First we gathered everything we needed: straight twigs of similar sizes, small pebbles for the walkway, pieces of bark for the door and roof, moss for the garden, flower petals for decoration. I remember my mother’s hand guiding mine as I stacked the twigs in a criss-cross pattern, building the walls. It was slow work and it took patience, but I knew it was worth it. It was for them.
I’m all grown up now. I still look to the natural world for the quiet and the green smell and the breeze and the stillness. I still believe in fairies. I work at a library, and I make sure to remind myself often how magical these places were for me as a child. I hope with abandon that some of the children that come here feel that magic too when they crack a book.
If you’re craving more magic in your life, come visit Aurora Public Library on April 12th to build your very own garden fairy house. And if you or a child you know is interested in fairies, check out some of the following books from APL, including the new story Backyard Fairies by Phoebe Wahl, which sparked this blog post.
Backyard Fairies by Phoebe Wahl
Fairy Houses All Year: A Four-Season Handbook by Liza Gardner Walsh
Fairies: An Introduction Into the History and Mystery of Their Magical Realm by Ralph Harvey
Fairies by Virginia Loh-Hagan.
The Book of Fairies selected and illustrated by Michael Hague
Forest Fairy Crafts by Lenka Vodicka-Paredes
|