The family of a Black man who was fatally shot by a SWAT officer is calling for a murder trial following the release of body camera footage of the incident. The shooting occurred in the parking lot of a condo building in Aurora, a Denver suburb, on May 23. The victim, 37-year-old Kilyn Lewis, was shot as officers attempted to arrest him.
According to interim Police Chief Heather Morris, Lewis was holding a cellphone in his right hand when officers approached him. The body camera footage shows Lewis appearing to surrender by raising his arms in the air. Just as he was about to get on the ground, an officer fired a single shot at Lewis, who repeatedly stated that he had nothing on him.
An arrest warrant had been issued for Lewis in connection with a shooting that occurred on May 5 in Denver. His family is now calling for the officer involved in the shooting to be prosecuted, emphasizing the need for justice to be served.
During a news conference, Lewis' mother, LaRonda Jones, highlighted the broader issue of police violence in Aurora, referencing the death of Elijah McClain in 2019. Jones urged local authorities to uphold the law and address the systemic devaluation of Black lives.
Aurora police have refrained from commenting further on the incident, citing ongoing investigations. The officer who shot Lewis could not be reached for comment, and the police unions have not responded to inquiries.
One of the family's lawyers criticized the police for releasing the video in a manner that favored the officers. He noted that Lewis appeared to be taken by surprise by the officers' approach, likening it to a gang confrontation.
Despite requests for the raw footage of the shooting, police have not yet released it to the public. The family continues to seek transparency and accountability in the handling of the case.
