Coroner finds sheriff’s deputies shot, killed man in garage shootout in Centennial

AURORA | The Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office on Tuesday determined that Arapahoe County Sheriff’s deputies shot and killed a 49-year-old man during a shootout on the border between Aurora and Centennial this weekend.

Forensic Pathologist Casey Bitting found that Keith Wayne Homrighausen died by homicide after deputies shot him multiple times in the garage of a home in the 5200 block of South Jericho Street in the early morning hours of Aug. 1, according to a news release.

For the past several days, investigators were unclear whether Homrighausen died after deputies shot him, or if he had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Ginger Delgado, spokesperson for the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office, said deputies were dispatched to the area at about 9:45 p.m. July 31 after receiving reports of a physical fight between two men at a family gathering.

Once in the area, authorities attempted to speak with one of the men, who was armed with a gun.

“He was being uncooperative, and at some point he left the area in front of the house and retreated into the garage,” Delgado said.

Deputies continued to try to negotiate with the man through the garage door until he emerged and began shooting, according to Delgado. Officials with the sheriff’s office returned multiple rounds of fire.

There was then a pause in the shootout, and the Arapahoe County SWAT team was called for assistance, Delgado said. When SWAT members eventually entered the garage, they found Homrighausen dead, and it was unclear as to whether he died from a bullet from his own weapon or one used by deputies.

Bitting’s report clarifies he died from rounds fired from a sheriff’s deputy’s gun.

An investigations team composed of various entities in Arapahoe County’s state judicial district is currently looking into the fatal shooting.

Several nearby homes were evacuated Saturday night, and residents in a quarter-mile radius were directed to shelter in place.

Aurora Police and South Metro Fire Rescue assisted in the response, Delgado said.

The home where Homrighausen was shot is located in unincorporated Arapahoe County, according to the sheriff’s office, though the coroner’s office said Homrighausen died in Aurora. Assessor’s records indicate the area falls within the city limits of Centennial.