Denver DA Announces Decision Regarding Officer-Involved Shooting

DENVER — Denver District Attorney John Walsh announced today that charges will not be filed against any of the Denver Police Officers who were involved in a shooting that injured 62-year-old Allan Scott.

On August 25, 2025, several DPD officers responded to a 911 call of a man, later identified as Scott, in a parking lot “waving a pistol around and pointing it at oncoming traffic” at 1233 W. Alameda Avenue.

When Corporal Valentin Kerchev and Officer Jonathan Hayes arrived at the scene, they saw Scott about 75 feet in front of them.  There was a shopping cart directly in front of Scott that was blocking the officers’ view of his lower body.  The officers got out of their vehicles and ordered Scott to “Show me your hands” and “Put your hands up.” Scott immediately yelled back, “Show me yours!”  Scott then suddenly raised his right arm, extended his right hand and pointed a gun at the officers.

Believing they were in danger of being shot, Corporal Kerchev and Officer Hayes fired their weapons.   A few seconds after the firing stopped, Scott waved his right hand back and forth above the shopping cart, presumably holding the gun.  The officers gave Scott multiple commands to drop the gun, but Scott did not comply.

When Officer Randall Wells saw Scott move his finger onto the trigger of his gun, Officer Wells fired his weapon, hitting Scott in the face. Paramedics arrived and took Scott to Denver Health Medical Center.

It was later learned that Scott’s weapon was a P-22 bb gun that looked like a 9mm semi-automatic pistol. Scott is now charged with one count of Felony Menacing. Because of the open case against him, we will not be releasing the letter that DA Walsh sent to DPD Chief Ron Thomas detailing the officer-involved shooting.

“After a thorough review of the evidence in the case, I believe that the use of force by all of the officers was justified based on Colorado law regarding use of force in self-defense and in defense of others. Therefore, no criminal charges will be filed against any of the officers involved,” said DA Walsh.

About the Denver DA’s Office:

The mission of the Denver DA’s Office is to protect the community, to seek equal justice for all, and to improve the quality and fairness of criminal justice on behalf of the people of Colorado.   We achieve that mission through excellence in our work investigating and prosecuting crime, supporting victims and their families, working with the community to prevent crime, and providing fair alternatives to incarceration in appropriate cases.

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