Aurora Police Defend Use Of Deadly Force On Suspect With Gun
AURORA, Colo. (CBS4) - Aurora police shot and killed a man they say was threatening his neighbors Friday night. Now the department is defending the use of force
The shooting happened near 28th and Atchison. Neighbors described a chaotic scene on the Aurora block before midnight.
"They were like bam, bam, bam, they were right in a row," a witness said.
"We were just watching TV until we starting hearing all these gunshots," another witness said.
Police say multiple calls reported shots being fired. Aurora officers already in the area responded quickly.
When officers arrived the suspect, Zbigniew Sapun, 59, was in a garage. Police say he had a verbal altercation with the officers before he took aim at them with a shotgun.
"He turned, pointed it at them as they were giving commands and identifying themselves, lowered it in their direction and that's when they fired," Frank Fania with Aurora police said.
Sapun was shot once in the chest. He was transported to an area hospital where he later died. On Saturday police defended the use of deadly force.
"It was clear to the officers that he had no intention of putting the gun down and that he knew they were police officers," Fania said.
Aurora police have not released Sapun's full criminal record. The department has suggested he had multiple run-ins with law enforcement.
