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

November 25, 2020 Contact: Carolyn Tyler, Communications Director, carolyn.tyler@denverda.org, 720-913-9025

District Attorney McCann Issues Officer-Involved Shooting Letter

Investigation and Decision Re September 12, 2020 Shooting of Christopher Escobedo

DENVER—Denver District Attorney Beth McCann’s legal review of the officer-involved shooting that occurred on September 12, 2020, at 1540 N. Meade St. in Denver, Colorado is complete. DA McCann concluded that the shooting was legally justified and that no criminal charges are warranted against Denver Police Department Officers Ramses Aranda and Shane Madrigal or Adams County Sheriff Deputies Corey Engle, Marcus Knight and Matthew Tran for the reasons outlined in the letter.

“The officers in this situation were confronted with a very dangerous and escalating situation. Mr. Escobedo was ignoring their commands and threatening to kill his female hostage as he emerged from bushes holding a loaded gun to her head,” said District Attorney McCann. “This situation was preceded by Mr. Escobedo having shot at police officers during a high-speed chase in a stolen vehicle. These officers ended the incident without serious injury or death to the female hostage or other officers. I find their decisions to fire both reasonable and legally justified.”

DA McCann will present and discuss her conclusions about the officer-involved shootings of Christopher Escobedo as well as Antonio Blackbear during a community meeting on Monday, November 30, 2020. The public is invited to attend by clicking here: https://bit.ly/35CwOIt. Due to the current health pandemic, this live event will take place over Microsoft Teams.

DA McCann’s decision letter to Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen and Adams County Sheriff Richard Reigenborn is also available for review.

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