Littleton o cer Michael Lopez cleared in fatal shooting

BY THELMA GRIMES TGRIMES@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Littleton Police O cer Michael Lopez was cleared by the 18th Judicial District for any wrongdoing in the shooting that resulted in the death of Stephen Poolson Jr. on Feb. 2.

In the report, Chief Deputy District Attorney Clinton McKinzie said after reviewing the evidence provided by the Critical Response Team and applying the law to the facts of the incident, “I conclude that O cer Lopez was legally justi ed in using lethal force against Mr. Poolson. e police o cer’s use of force was reasonable, necessary, and appropriate to defend himself from the threat posed by Mr. Poolson.”

According to the report’s summary of facts, on Feb. 2 around 1:05 a.m., Lopez was on patrol in a fully marked police car near 5600 S. Bannock St. in Littleton. As he turned onto Powell Avenue he observed a man straddling a parked motorcycle outside an apartment building. e man was later identi ed as Poolson, 41.

Lopez took note that the motorcycle was on the sidewalk with no license plate. Lopez pulled the patrol car alongside Poolson. Rolling down his window, Lopez asked Poolson what he was doing. Poolson responded that he was waiting for friends.

According to the report, Lopez then asked where the motorcycle’s license plates were. Poolson did not respond. Lopez then asked if the bike had been stolen. Allegedly, Poolson said, “not yet.”

At this time, a masked male and female subject emerged from a nearby apartment building behind Poolson. When they saw Lopez talking to Poolson, they ran back inside.

Lopez drove his car forward to block the motorcycle’s path. Poolson then turned on the engine and began to push the motorcycle forward, Lopez collided with the bike, pushing it into a low wall.

Poolson fell o and ran toward the nearby apartments.

Lopez exited his patrol car to chase Poolson, drawing his handgun and calling on the radio to report he was in pursuit of the suspect on foot.

In the apartment complex’s courtyard, Lopez found Poolson trying to climb over a fence that led to a parking area behind the building. With his gun drawn, Lopez ran up to Poolson while reporting over the radio that he was tracking a white male wearing a black hoodie.

At that point, Poolson who was trying to climb the fence turned and pointed a handgun at Lopez. According to the investigation, at this point, the two men were standing 12 feet apart. Poolson told Lopez to “get back,” with the o cer responding, “don’t shoot.”

Repeating his order for Lopez to “get back,” Poolson kept the gun pointed at the o cer. Stepping behind the partial cover of a tree, Lopez red his weapon six times, striking Poolson who immediately fell to the ground.

Lopez immediately reported that he had shot Poolson, asking for a trauma kit. Another o cer soon showed up with a trauma kit, followed by South Metro Fire and Rescue, which responded within minutes to provide Poolson medical care.

Poolson was soon pronounced dead, being struck by ve of the six bullets red.

According to the coroner’s report, the cause of death resulted in a gunshot wound directly to the chest.

At the scene, the investigation revealed that a Glock handgun loaded with 14 rounds of live ammunition was found next to Poolson.

McKinzie said investigators also learned that the motorcycle that started the entire stop had been reported stolen in Denver six months earlier.

According to the investigation, while Lopez did not activate his body-worn camera, it still captured video without audio due to a feature that allows the camera to save the previous 30 seconds of video before being activated to record both audio and video.

McKenzie said in his report that the video is consistent with statement’s provided by Lopez after the shooting.

When asked why he did not activate the body-camera, Lopez told investigators that he wasn’t even planning on investigating a crime, admitting that he was only curious why the motorcycle did not have a license plate, noting that the situation developed quickly.

A surveillance camera located in the courtyard of the apartment complex captured both audio and visual footage of the shooting and is consistent with Lopez’s account of the incident.

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