Latest news with #AuroraPoliceDepartment
CBS News
18 hours ago
- CBS News
Residents to remain indoors as shooting investigation underway in Aurora, Illinois
Residents are being asked to remain indoors as a shooting investigation is underway in Aurora, Illinois. The Aurora Police Department is conducting a shooting investigation in the 500 block of Station Boulevard. Residents in the area are being asked to remain indoors as a precaution while the investigation is underway. Drivers are also advised to take alternate routes and avoid the surrounding area until the matter is resolved. Aurora police said they will provide updates as they become available. This is a developing story. CBS News Chicago will continue to update.
CBS News
3 days ago
- CBS News
Boxes of material on Aurora homicide cases recovered from home of retired detective
The Aurora Police Department announced Thursday that numerous boxes of material from old homicide cases were discovered at the home of a former detective. Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain said the department is undergoing an organizational transformation, allowing detectives to revisit cold cases. Chamberlain explained the discovery was made as detectives were reviewing a case from 1997 when they were unable to locate materials that were part of the investigation. When they were unable to find the hard copy files or anything in the digital evidence system, they reached out to the original Major Crimes Homicide Unit detective who worked on the case. The detective worked in the unit from 1996 until 2011, said Chamberlain, and retired from the department in 2022. After the department contacted him, the former detective brought a plastic bag to police headquarters containing numerous documents, VHS tapes, photos and other material from the investigation. The department questioned the former detective and learned that he had material from multiple homicide cases he worked on during his time with the unit. He consented to a search of his home, where officers found boxes of old case files. "In the floorboards of the retired detective's home, we located 30 boxes that were recovered that contained binders, reports, photographs, VHS tapes, handwritten notes, and other documents related to investigations and cases that he had worked," said Chamberlain. Chamberlain asserted that none of the boxes contained physical evidence such as blood, fingerprints or tangible objects connected to these cases. They primarily contained notes, documents, videotapes of interviews and similar material, he added. "As we immediately discovered what was occurring, we got together with parties of the city, with legal counsel, with internal operations, both all of our chiefs, our detective personnel," said Chamberlain. "We looked at the depth and breadth of what we were contending with, and we set about a very specific and very strategic plan of action to make sure that, one, we have accountability for everything that occurred, and then also, we made sure that nothing in the future like this ever happens again." He said the department placed all of the material in a secure area and contacted the District Attorney's Office to ensure the 17th and 18th districts could access and research all of it. Both offices are conducting independent investigations into the materials. The retired detective consented to another search of his home, and authorities said they did not find any further case materials located there. Chamberlain said that, over the course of several months, they checked every item recovered to determine any issues that may arise from the materials that were taken. "We have also worked with our detective personnel, specifically cross-referencing every item that has been impacted, any open investigations, any previous investigations, anything that is ongoing to make sure that none of the information that was gathered in the retired detective's home was pertinent, was impactful, or involved any type of conflict whatsoever," Chamberlain said. He asserted that the recovered materials did not compromise any court cases and that many of the recovered files were redundant, or copies that the retired detective kept. There was also no indication of any wrongdoing, he said. "At this time, our detectives have found that there is no indication that the recovered case material compromised any prosecutions," he stated. "And, again, I want to reiterate that there is no indication at this point that there is anybody that was tried, anybody that was held accountable, any case or any victim, any suspects that were impacted in any way by any of the material that was located in that retired detective's home." He said the department takes responsibility for the poor recordkeeping, stating that "It is without question, unacceptable," and that he will ensure the department does better. Chamberlain said the department has completely updated its case management system to digitize the materials in binders to better maintain and control case data.
San Francisco Chronicle
5 days ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Parents of man shot and killed by Colorado officer after scuffle sue
Taushica Carter, whose son Rashaud Johnson was fatally shot during a confrontation with a police officer in Aurora, Colo., speaks at a news conference in Denver on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. Thomas Peipert/AP In this image taken from provided police body camera footage, Officer Brandon Mills aims a gun at Rashaud Johnson in Aurora, Colo., May 12, 2025. (Aurora Police Department via AP) AP DENVER (AP) — The parents of a man who was shot and killed by an officer after the two had scuffled are suing the officer and accusing police in the Denver suburb of Aurora failing to end a pattern of racially discriminatory policing. The lawsuit, announced Tuesday, said Officer Brandon Mills shot Rashaud Johnson, 32, twice in the chest on May 12 when he posed no threat. Mills held him at gunpoint as Johnson bled on the ground, waiting about five minutes for another officer to arrive without trying to help, the lawsuit said. When the other officer arrived, Mills told him Johnson did not have a gun but said Johnson had tried to disarm him several times, according to police body camera footage. Mills put a single hand on one of Johnson's wounds after the officers handcuffed him, the lawsuit said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The lawsuit said Johnson, who was Black and a standup comedian, was having a mental health crisis when he was killed at a vast remote airport parking lot near where he lived. Employees had called 911 five times over about two hours asking for police to check on Johnson as he walked barefoot on the lot's hot pavement, according to the lawsuit and information previously released by police. Mills responded alone after the employees reported that Johnson was 'trying to fight them.' Johnson did not respond to Mills' questions and rushed toward the officer, according to body camera footage. Mills swung his baton and then fired his Taser before they ended up on the ground in a struggle, the footage showed. Johnson pulled one of Mills' spare ammunition magazines from his belt, the lawsuit said. After Mills pushed Johnson off him and ordered him to move back, Mills pulled out his gun and said he would shoot Johnson if he didn't get on the ground. Johnson stood still, not far from the lot's fence, before he slowly began walking toward Mills, according to the footage. Mills then shot him from about 15 feet (5 meters) away. District Attorney Brian Mason has not yet decided whether the shooting was justified or criminal charges should be filed following an investigation by other area law enforcement agencies, his spokesperson, Christopher Hopper, said. The Aurora Police Department is reviewing the shooting, city attorney Pete Schulte said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 'Like any critical incident, there are important facts that will be revealed by these investigations that are not depicted in a single body camera video. Now that this lawsuit has been filed my office will defend the city and the officer in this case,' Schulte said. Mills could not be located for comment. An email message sent to the union representing Aurora police officers was not immediately returned. At a May 29 press conference on the shooting, Aurora police Chief Todd Chamberlain said that 'the absence of a weapon does not mean there is an absence of danger.' Johnson's mother, Taushica Carter, said that as a military veteran, she has trouble understanding how someone who took an oath to uphold the law killed her only child. 'Someone who thought they were God, basically, took my baby's life,' she said at a news conference with her lawyers, tears running down her face. His father, Christopher Johnson, said he wanted people to know that his son was not a troublemaker and had parents who loved him. 'We want his memory to be positive and the community to understand the loss that did not have to happen,' he said.
Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Parents of man shot and killed by Colorado officer after scuffle sue
DENVER (AP) — The parents of a man who was shot and killed by an officer after the two had scuffled are suing the officer and accusing police in the Denver suburb of Aurora failing to end a pattern of racially discriminatory policing. The lawsuit, announced Tuesday, said Officer Brandon Mills shot Rashaud Johnson, 32, twice in the chest on May 12 when he posed no threat. Mills held him at gunpoint as Johnson bled on the ground, waiting about five minutes for another officer to arrive without trying to help, the lawsuit said. When the other officer arrived, Mills told him Johnson did not have a gun but said Johnson had tried to disarm him several times, according to police body camera footage. Mills put a single hand on one of Johnson's wounds after the officers handcuffed him, the lawsuit said. The lawsuit said Johnson, who was Black and a standup comedian, was having a mental health crisis when he was killed at a vast remote airport parking lot near where he lived. Employees had called 911 five times over about two hours asking for police to check on Johnson as he walked barefoot on the lot's hot pavement, according to the lawsuit and information previously released by police. Mills responded alone after the employees reported that Johnson was 'trying to fight them.' Johnson did not respond to Mills' questions and rushed toward the officer, according to body camera footage. Mills swung his baton and then fired his Taser before they ended up on the ground in a struggle, the footage showed. Johnson pulled one of Mills' spare ammunition magazines from his belt, the lawsuit said. After Mills pushed Johnson off of him and ordered him to move back, Mills pulled out his gun and said he would shoot Johnson if he didn't get on the ground. Johnson stood still, not far from the lot's fence, before he slowly began walking toward Mills, according to the footage. Mills then shot him from about 15 feet (5 meters) away. District Attorney Brian Mason has not yet decided whether the shooting was justified or criminal charges should be filed, said his spokesperson, Christopher Hopper. The Aurora Police Department is reviewing the shooting, city attorney Pete Schulte said. 'Like any critical incident, there are important facts that will be revealed by these investigations that are not depicted in a single body camera video. Now that this lawsuit has been filed my office will defend the city and the officer in this case,' Schulte said. Mills could not be located for comment. An email message sent to the union representing Aurora police officers was not immediately returned. Johnson's mother, Taushica Carter, said that as a military veteran, she has trouble understanding how someone who took an oath to uphold the law killed her only child. 'Someone who thought they were God, basically, took my baby's life,' she said at a news conference with her lawyers, tears running down her face. His father, Christopher Johnson, said he wanted people to know that his son was not a troublemaker and had parents who loved him. 'We want his memory to be positive and the community to understand the loss that did not have to happen,' he said.
CBS News
01-08-2025
- CBS News
Aurora police credit new pursuit policy with arrest of known criminal
A Wednesday morning traffic stop in Aurora resulted in the arrest of two suspects after a short pursuit. It's an operation that the Aurora Police Department says exemplifies the impact of their new pursuit policy and proactive policing. The stolen Toyota RAV4 was first spotted near East 32nd Avenue and North Airport Boulevard. APD officers followed the car into Denver's Montbello neighborhood and coordinated with Denver Police before attempting a traffic stop. When the driver refused to stop, officers executed a controlled PIT maneuver to end the pursuit safely. APD Agent Matthew Longshore says the decision to use the PIT was carefully planned. "The officers actually formulated a plan and followed the car for a little bit," Longshore said. "It was something they coordinated to make sure that they were safe and had the best chance to capture the suspects." After the PIT maneuver, the passenger, 26-year-old Mackson Beti, surrendered at the scene. Authorities said the driver, 28-year-old Abel Paneo-Castro, fled on foot but was quickly caught. Paneo-Castro has a well-known history with APD, the department said. "They found a handgun, they found drugs, they found the driver had the extensive criminal history. These are the types of people who we know are driving stolen cars," Longshore said. Paneo-Castro's record includes charges for vehicle thefts, felony eluding, drug possession, carrying a concealed weapon, and other theft-related crimes. At the time of arrest, he had an active warrant for criminal trespass and obstruction. Police say Beti was found carrying a felony quantity of narcotics, several stolen credit cards, and a handgun equipped with an extended magazine. The arrests came due to APD's proactive overtime program, which allows officers to work extra hours focusing on crime hot spots in their districts. "We call it hotspot policing," Longshore explained. "You identify certain areas and target officers in those areas to try to prevent crime or catch criminals in the act or just be a presence in the area to make our community feel safe." He says this incident also highlights the effectiveness of Aurora's revised pursuit policy. The policy authorizes vehicle pursuits only when certain conditions are met, including when a suspect is committing a felony, is DUI, is armed, or is driving a confirmed stolen vehicle. "This is exactly the type of pursuit and capture that this policy change was meant for," Longshore said. When asked why Paneo-Castro, despite a long criminal history, was still on the streets, Longshore pointed to the limits of police authority. "Police officers have the responsibility to arrest people. Beyond that, it's corrections and the courts. We want to be good partners in that process, but some things are out of our control. Just like when people post bond, those are already assigned for certain crimes." He says Aurora's officers take community safety seriously, particularly during high-risk operations like pursuits. APD is currently building internal databases to track pursuit outcomes and offender profiles. Supervisors now complete detailed forms after each pursuit, allowing the department to collect data on pursuit length, suspect behavior and criminal histories. "We're really proud that only a few of these incidents have actually ended with someone being hurt," he said. "We want to give our officers credit for keeping pursuits safe and for catching these criminals. That's the biggest thing, getting people off the street who don't need to be there."
