Beth McCann

District Attorney

Second Judical District

201 W, Colfax Ave, Dept. 801
Denver, CO 80202

720-913-2000
Beth.McCann@denverda.org

News Release

January 12, 2022 Contact: Carolyn Tyler, Communications Director, carolyn.tyler@denverda.org, 720-913-9025

District Attorney Beth McCann Announces Officer-Involved Shooting Decision

DENVER—On October 20, 2021, Colorado Department of Corrections (DOC) officers were attempting to apprehend, 38-year old Aaron Lang. Mr. Lang was a fugitive wanted for a parole violation and officers had learned that he was possibly selling drugs from 1090 South Parker Road in Denver. Incidents that day led to the officer-involved shooting death of Aaron Lang by two Department of Correction Officers. After a thorough investigation was complete, Denver District Attorney McCann today released her decision letter and concluded that no criminal charges are warranted.

“As the officers moved in to apprehend him, Mr. Lang was able to evade them and run back into the building from which he had emerged,” said DA McCann. “Mr. Lang ran to an apartment door and begged to be let in, with no success. He then turned and faced one of the Department of Correction officers, raised his weapon and pointed it toward the officer who told him to put it down. After officers issued further commands that he drop his weapon, Mr. Lang pulled his handgun up as if to point it at them before being fatally shot. Under these circumstances, these two DOC officers were justified in using lethal force.”

DA McCann will present details about this officer-involved shooting incident and discuss her conclusions during a virtual community meeting on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, at 5:30 pm. The public is invited to join this online meeting that will take place over Microsoft Teams by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3JV5nM2.

DA McCann’s decision letter to Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen and Colorado Department of Corrections Executive Director Dean Williams is available for review.

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