On Sunday, November 19, 2017 at midnight, a uniformed Aurora Police Officer had just arrived at E. Colfax Ave. and N. Moline St. to assist with what appeared to be a vehicle versus pedestrian crash.
After being on scene for only a couple of minutes, the officer heard a single gunshot that he believed was fired in his direction. The officer was uncertain of exactly where the shot came from and subsequently additional police resources were requested to the area from all parts of the city. An extensive search was conducted by officers on the ground in the area and Denver Police Department’s ‘Air One’ helicopter assisted with a search by air. A suspect was not located during the search and still remains at large.
One of the tires on the Officer’s marked patrol vehicle sustained damage. As a part of the on-going investigation, Detectives will determine if this damage was related to the shot that was fired at the Officer. Very fortunately, the Officer was uninjured during the course of this incident.
The case will be further investigated by the Aurora Police Major Crimes/Homicide Unit. The Aurora Police Department is asking anybody with information about this case to please contact Sgt. Matt Fyles at (303) 739-6041. Tipsters with information can also remain anonymous by contacting Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at (720) 913-7867 and can be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.
####
Officer Bill Hummel
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720-432-5095
Aurora Police are investigating a shooting in Northwest Aurora that has left one man dead.
On November 6th at around 9:40p.m. Aurora Police responded to a report of a shooting at East 14th Avenue and North Paris Street. Upon arrival officers located an adult male in the roadway who had been shot. He was transported to a local hospital where he later died from his injuries.
The name of the victim will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office once he has been positively identified and his next of kin have been notified.
Police have no suspect information at this time and are asking anyone with information about this case to call Agent Randy Hansen with the Major Crimes/Homicide Unit at 303.739.6710. Tipsters can also submit a tip by calling Metro Denver Crime Stoppers a 720.913.7876. By using Crime Stoppers tipsters can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.
Acting Lieutenant Chris Amsler
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
On the afternoon of August 29, 2017, the victim who was shot during this incident has died from her injuries. The victim, an adult female, was shot on the afternoon of August 28, 2017 in the 10500 block of E. Mississippi Ave.
The investigation into this incident remains very active and is on-going. The identity of the victim will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office pending the positive identification of the victim and notification of her next of kin.
Investigators would like to speak with anyone who may have witnessed this shooting or with anyone who has information about this case. Witnesses are asked to call Agent Matthew Ingui with the Major Crimes/Homicide Unit at 303.739.6067 or they can call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.7867. By using Crime Stoppers tipsters can remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.
In order to protect the integrity of this investigation, there is no further information available for release at this time.
Information previously released on August 28, 2017
On Monday afternoon at approximately 5:48 p.m. the Aurora Police Department received information from the Denver Police Department about a shooting that had occurred in the 10500 block of East Mississippi Avenue. Upon arrival officers located an adult female who was suffering from a gunshot wound. She was transported to a local hospital and is currently in critical condition.
During the initial investigation it was determined that two vehicles traveling eastbound on East Mississippi Avenue were involved in the shooting and a subsequent accident resulted in another vehicle becoming involved. The suspect’s vehicle left the scene. It is unknown how many occupants were inside the two involved vehicles when the shooting occurred.
Investigators from the Major Crimes/Homicide Unit responded to the scene and are following on up leads and interviewing witnesses to determine what events lead up to the shooting and to identify potential suspect(s) .
Due to the fact that this is an ongoing investigation information about the suspect(s) and the suspect’s vehicle is not being released at this time.
The identity of the victim is not being released at this time.
Investigators would like to speak with anyone who may have witnessed this shooting or with anyone who has information about this case. Witnesses are asked to call Agent Matthew Ingui with the Major Crimes/Homicide Unit at 303.739.6067 or they can call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.7867. By using Crime Stoppers tipsters can remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.
No further updates are expected to be released tonight. We will provide updates when they come available.
Officer Kenneth Forrest
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
303.739.6616
On Thursday evening at approximately 11:46p.m. Aurora Police responded to a report of a party shot in the alley behind 1460 Boston Street in Northwest Aurora. Upon arrival officers located an adult male victim who had been shot several times. He was transported to a local hospital where he died from his injuries early this morning.
Patrol Officers with the assistance of the Denver Police Department Air Support Unit searched the area for any potential suspects remaining in the area, none were located. The Major Crimes/Homicide Unit responded to the scene and are actively investigating this case.
The identity of the victim is not being released at this time. His name will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office once he has been positively identified and next of kin have been notified.
Investigators would like to speak with anyone who may have witnessed this shooting or with anyone who has information about this case. Witnesses are asked to call Agent Randy Hansen with the Major Crimes/Homicide Unit at 303.739.6710 or they can call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.7867. By using Crime Stoppers tipsters can remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.
Acting Lieutenant Chris Amsler
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
On 08/20/2017, the Aurora Police Department received a report pertaining to allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct involving a suspect Brian Vasquez (DOB: 04/15/1983), a teacher who is currently employed at Prairie Middle School. As these allegations were investigated, more serious incidents came to light to include sexual assault between Vasquez and juvenile students.
Investigators are still working to investigate this matter and are still speaking with witnesses and victims. At this time limited information is being released as to protect the integrity of this very active, open investigation. Aurora Crimes Against Children (CAC) Detectives are investigating this incident as well as other incidents of sexual assault involving Vasquez and students.
On 8/22/2017, Vasquez was arrested and booked into the Aurora City Jail on the following charges: 3 counts of Sexual Assault on a Child- Position of Trust (‘Pattern of Abuse’ charging enhancer) and 5 counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child. Vasquez has been placed on administrative leave by the Cherry Creek School District.
The Aurora Police Department is working in conjunction with the Cherry Creek School District and other school districts that have previously employed Vasquez to ensure that needs of victims are met. The cooperation of the Cherry Creek School district has been instrumental in aiding our investigation.
It is possible that there are additional persons who have been victimized by Vasquez and have not yet reported it. The Aurora Police Department is asking anybody who is a witness or has information about circumstances surrounding this investigation to please call the Crimes Against Children Tip-Line at (303) 739-6164. If there are any additional victims who are wishing to report to police, they are asked to call Police Dispatch at (303) 627-3100 immediately. A photo is being released to the public in the event that there are additional victims who have not yet come forward in filing a report with Police.
Because it is possible that there are additional victims, the Aurora Police Department is releasing Vasquez’s known previous work history that has been made available by the Cherry Creek School District:
-Social Studies Teacher (7th and 8th grade) at Prairie Middle School: 08/11/11 to current
-Destination Imagination Coach at Prairie Middle School: 10/2012- 01/2017
-Teacher at Mountain vista Community school in Harrison School District 2, (7th grade Geography and 8th grade U.S. History): 08/2009-06/2011
-Teacher at Mesa Ridge High School in Widefield School District 3 (9th grade Geography/ Social Studies, 10th grade World History, 11th grade U.S. History): 10/2007-06/2009
-Substitute Teacher in Widefield School District (grades 6th-12th, all subject areas): 04/2007-10/2007
-Student Teacher at Janitell High School in Widefield School District (7th grade Geography, 8th grade U.S. History): 05/2006-12/2006
-Youth Worker at the San Louis Valley Youth Detention Center in Alamosa, Colorado: 04/2004-04/2006
There is no further information available at this time.
Photo Courtesy of Cherry Creek Schools
Officer Bill Hummel
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
303.739.6038
PRESS CONFERENCE REFERENCE SEXUAL ASSAULT INVESTIGATION
WHAT: The Aurora Police Department and Cherry Creek School District
WHEN: Monday August 22, 2017 at 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: Aurora Police Headquarters, Office of the Chief of Police, 15001 East Alameda Parkway
WHO: Chief of Police, Nick Metz
Major Investigations Lieutenant, Stephen Redfearn
Cherry Creek Public Schools Superintendent, Harry Bull
CONTACT: Officer Bill Hummel, Public Information Officer for the Aurora Police Department (303) 739-6038.
PRESS CONFERENCE REFERENCE SEXUAL ASSAULT INVESTIGATION
Aurora, Colorado-The Aurora Police Department will be holding a press conference to brief the media about the circumstances related to an on-going sexual assault investigation. It is believed that there are multiple victims in this case and the suspect is a teacher at Prairie Middle School in Aurora.
The conference will take place today at Aurora Police Headquarters (15001 East Alameda Parkway) at 6:00 p.m.
The conference will be held in a secure location inside of police headquarters so the media is asked to arrive prior to 6:00 p.m. at the north doors of police headquarters near the crime lab vehicles. A representative of the Media Relations Unit will then provide access into the building.
On August 15th, 2017 at 1:26 a.m., Aurora Patrol Officers responded to the area of E. Mississippi Ave. and S. Potomac Street on a report of a single vehicle crash with injuries. Traffic investigators responded to the scene and our investigation revealed the following:
A maroon in color 1999 Ford Expedition, driven by a 50 yo male, with a 23 yo adult female passenger, both from Aurora, CO., were in the area of the McDonald's/ Waffle House restaurants located at E. Mississippi Ave. and S. Uvalda Street. Witness accounts and evidence showed the vehicle sped out of the parking lot for unknown reasons, over the landscaped embankment, across the sidewalk and struck a fire hydrant. The vehicle continued out onto E. Mississippi Ave. and proceeded eastbound. At some point the vehicle was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes at a high rate of speed, drove back over the center median into the eastbound lanes, lost control and went over the south curb line near 13800 block of E. Mississippi Ave. The female passenger was ejected from the vehicle prior to it striking a tree. Both parties were taken to a local hospital, the male sustaining minor injuries, and the female with life threatening injuries. After several hours of surgery the female victim succumbed to her injuries.
The Aurora Police Traffic Section is investigating this crash under case# 2017-31466. We are not releasing the names of the driver and victim pending the completion of our investigation. We believe contributing factors in this crash were driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, speed, and failure to utilize seatbelt restraints. Charges against the driver are pending but may result in Vehicular Homicide, Reckless Driving and DUI.
Lieutenant Michael A. McClelland
Traffic Section Commander
303-739-6326
SUSPECT IN CUSTODY
Early this morning officers from the Aurora Police Department arrested a man in connection with last nights homicide at Tierra Maya Sports Bar and Grill. Miguel Angel Licona-Ortega (Date of Birth 08/08/1994) was arrested for 1st Degree Murder and was booked into the Aurora Detention Center.
Sergeant Chris Amsler
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
Information previously released on July 29th, 2017:
At 7:06 this evening the Aurora Police Public Safety Communications Division received a report of a shooting at the Tierra Maya Sports Bar and Grill, which is located at 455 Havana Street in Northwest Aurora.
Upon arrival Officers located an adult male outside of the front door of the establishment suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.
Investigators from the Major Crimes/Homicide Unit responded to the scene and are following on up leads and interviewing witness to determine what events lead up to the shooting and to identify a potential suspect(s) .
The identity of the victim, who is an adult male in his 20's is not being released at this time and will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office once he has been positively identified and next of kin have been notified.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Agent Marc Yacano with the Major Crimes/Homicide Unit at 303.739.6090 or Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.7867. By using Crime Stoppers tipsters can remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.
Sergeant Chris Amsler
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
Residents of Aurora are invited to celebrate National Night Out (NNO) with the Aurora Police Department and the rest of the country on Tuesday, August the 1st. NNO is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. The goal of the campaign is to make Aurora a safer place.
The Police Area Representative Teams for District 1, which serves West Aurora (areas west of I-225) has announced the District's plans for the evening. The District will be hosting a community gathering at Utah Park (1800 S. Peoria St.) on the northeast corner of the park. The event will include a static display of APD Units and Equipment, food, door prizes, a mobile playground, and obstacle course. New this year, the band The Hits will be performing!
The event starts at 5:30p.m. and goes to 8:00p.m.
Sergeant Chris Amsler
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
This morning at 8:05a.m Aurora Police responded to a report of a stabbing in the 13000 Block of East 13th Avenue. When officers arrived at that location they located an adult male who had been stabbed multiple times. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he later died from his injuries.
Patrol Officers were able to obtain a description of the suspect and a metro wide "be on the lookout" or bolo was issued for the suspect and his vehicle. During APD's dragnet an observant Aurora Patrol Officer located the suspect on an RTD bus at East Mississippi Avenue and South Chambers Road. The suspect was taken into custody at 12:20p.m. without incident.
The name of the suspect and charges that he was arrested for will be released after he has booked into the Aurora Detention Center. The Arapahoe County Coroner's Office will release the name of the victim once he has been positively identified and next of kin have been notified.
The Major Crimes/Homicide unit is investigating this case.
Sergeant Chris Amsler
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
|