Bodycam released when a man holding a cell phone was fatally shot by a Aurora SWAT officer
By: The family of an unarmed man shot by an Aurora SWAT officer is demanding justice. The Aurora Police Department released body camera footage of the fatal shooting Thursday morning.
Aurora police produced a critical incident report video, which includes body-worn camera footage edited by APD and narrations by Interim Police Chief Heather Morris.
"We take any use of force seriously, especially when there's a loss of life," said Morris in the video.
APD's SWAT team was assisting the Denver Police Department Fugitive Unit with surveillance of 37-year-old Kilyn Lewis. He was wanted on an active warrant out of Denver for attempted first-degree murder.
The arrest warrant stemmed from May 5, when police say Lewis was involved in a shooting near East 48th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard.
Police say Lewis visited an apartment complex in the 300 block of South Ironton Street. Teams conducted surveillance over the course of two days. Due to the 'high-risk nature' of the warrant, APD's SWAT team was requested to assist with the arrest.
Just before noon on May 23, officers watched Lewis park a vehicle and open the trunk. Body camera footage shows he was at the rear of the vehicle when officers approached.
Police commanded Lewis to get on the ground. At that time, his hands were visible and empty. Lewis then took a few steps and placed his right hand behind his back, out of view. When his hand came back into view, Lewis was holding an object. APD Officer Michael Dieck fired a single shot.
The object was later determined to be a cell phone.
After he was shot, Lewis is seen on the ground saying, "I don't have nothing. I don't have anything."
Lewis was pronounced dead two days later.