In a series of tragic events this past month, Aurora has witnessed two fatal shootings involving local police, igniting tensions and raising questions about law enforcement's use of deadly force. In August, 37-year-old Rajon Belt-Stubblefield was fatally shot by Aurora police, a moment now scrutinized by the community and civil rights activists. A public memorial service was held, attracting around two hundred attendees at New Nation Church, where mourners remembered Belt-Stubblefield's deep connections with his family. "I can’t call nobody at 6 in the morning no more. I can’t call him," Ronnette Mathews, who mothered three of Belt-Stubblefield's children, told KDVR.
Calls for justice punctuated the service, with attendees alongside civil rights attorney Ben Crump chanting "justice for Rajon", demanding accountability for the officers' actions. "They’re going to try to say what they did to Rajon was legal," Crump asserted at the memorial, as reported by KDVR. The family has contested the police's account, suggesting alternative, less-lethal means could have been employed.
Earlier this month, another fatal incident occurred when a 17-year-old, identified as Blaze Aleczander Balle-Mason, was shot by police at a Conoco gas station. Reports indicate Balle-Mason called 911 from the gas station to claim he was armed and planning violence against the establishment and responding officers. Despite the alert that the teen wanted to shoot officers, the police discovered posthumously that the teen was unarmed. CBS Colorado's coverage details how police responded with a less-lethal launcher before ultimately an officer discharged a firearm, as Balle-Mason advanced on them, ignoring commands to show his hands.
Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain released both 911 calls and body-camera footage, stating his officers had reason to believe they were dealing with an active shooter situation and not a mental health crisis, as explained in a nearly hour-long conference covered by CBS Colorado. The dissemination of these materials appears to be part of the department's effort to provide transparency over their officers' actions in the moment.
Investigators continue to delve into both incidents, which remain under scrutiny by civil rights activists and local citizens demanding thorough accountability. While the Denver7 report indicates that Aurora police are trained for suicide-by-cop scenarios, many question if the appropriate protocols were followed in these distressing encounters. As both events are subject to investigation by the 18th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team, the community awaits conclusions that may shed light on the tragic loss of life and the contentious decisions made in the line of duty.
