District Attorney McCann Issues Officer-Involved Shooting Letter

Investigation and Decision Re October 31, 2020 Shooting of John Pacheaco

DENVER—Denver District Attorney Beth McCann’s legal review of the officer-involved shooting that occurred on October 31, 2020, in the 300 block of S. Colorado Boulevard in Denver is complete. DA McCann concluded that the shooting was legally justified and that no criminal charges are warranted against Glendale Police Department Officers Neal McCormick or Chandler Phillips for the reasons outlined in the letter.

“Mr. Pacheaco was stopped in a traffic lane blocking traffic on South Colorado Blvd. When officers tried to speak with Mr. Pacheaco, he unexpectedly put the truck in reverse as an officer was running behind the truck, clipping the officer and almost pinning him between the truck and a police car when these officers discharged their firearms,” said Denver DA McCann. “At the moment they shot Mr. Pacheaco, these officers reasonably believed that their fellow officers were in danger of being killed or receiving serious bodily injury.”

DA McCann will present and discuss her conclusions about this officer-involved shooting incident during a community meeting on Wednesday, May 26, 2021, at 5:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend by clicking here:  https://bit.ly/3uB941t. 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 Glendale Police Chief W. J. Haskins is available for review.

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