WESTMINSTER, Colo. — The Denver District Attorney's Office (DDAO) announced Monday morning that the three Westminster officers who shot and killed Drew Lucero on Sept. 3 were legally justified and will not face criminal charges.
On Sept. 3, the Westminster Police Department (WPD) was conducting a surveillance operation in the 5300 block of Billings Street in Denver to locate Lucero, who was wanted for attempted murder in Westminster.
Since the shooting happened in Denver, the Denver Police Department (DPD) helped with the investigation.
WPD said when they tried to contact Lucero, he fired a handgun at them. Three of the four officers responding to the incident returned fire, discharging a total of 27 rounds, according to DPD.
>>>The video above is from Sept. 3, 2021: Denver, Westminster police give update on shooting involving officers.
Police said Lucero was shot multiple times. He was taken to the hospital where he later died, according to DPD.
None of the officers were injured in the incident, police said.
After investigation from the DDAO, District Attorney Beth McCann concluded that the shooting was legally justified and no criminal charges are warranted against the officers.
“Once Mr. Lucero exited the house, produced a weapon and fired it, it was impossible for these officers to apply nonviolent means prior to resorting to physical force. Nonviolent means would have been ineffective in preventing an imminent threat of serious bodily injury or death to these officers,” said McCann. “In this perilous situation, these officers’ decisions to shoot Mr. Lucero in defense of self and each other was justified under Colorado law.”
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