AURORA | Jefferson County prosecutors will decide what, if any, charges to press against an Aurora officer who shot an unarmed black man March 6 near an elementary school.
According to a statement released March 20 by Aurora police, Jefferson County District Attorneys were given the case of the shooting death of Naeschylus Vinzant, who was shot and killed by SWAT officers attempting to arrest him near East 12th Avenue and Laredo Street, across the street from Laredo Elementary School. Vinzant was wanted by police on kidnapping, robbery and parole violation charges.
Police officials said Officer Paul Jerothe shot and killed Vinzant, who was unarmed.
Few details about the shooting have been made public since it happened. Police said Jerothe had not talked with investigators for more than a week after the shooting, but didn’t say why. Investigators have not discussed the moments leading up to the shooting, nor have they made public other details about the case.
Despite offering any details about the shooting, police have on more than one occasion unequivocally disputed protestors’ claims that Vinzant was handcuffed when he was shot.
Jefferson County investigators were selected because of a potential conflict of interest with Arapahoe County prosecutors.