An internal affairs review of a miles-long pursuit that ended in a fatal Lakewood shooting on April 30, 2024, found that some of the tactics used by Thornton Police violated city policy, even as investigators concluded that the officers' use of deadly force at the end of the chase was within department rules. The split finding has stirred fresh calls for tighter oversight of undercover pursuit units and sharper scrutiny of how supervisors managed Thornton's Impact team.
What the internal review found
The internal affairs investigation determined that pursuit tactics used before the shooting "fell outside city policy," while the shooting itself complied with department guidelines, according to 9NEWS. The report says supervisors knew the Impact team was frequently operating beyond Thornton's rules and that officers at times engaged in high-risk driving in order to stay on the trail of suspects.
How the chase unfolded
GPS data reviewed by reporters indicates officers tailed the Infiniti for roughly 17 miles, starting in Thornton, moving through Denver, and eventually into Lakewood. Members of the team ran red lights and drove at high speeds to keep up, The Denver Gazette reports. The chase ended after officers used a PIT maneuver, then approached the stopped vehicle and opened fire, killing two people at the scene.
Leadership, discipline and the Impact team
Internal affairs investigators concluded that Thornton leadership knew the Impact team had repeatedly bent department rules and, in some cases, pressed officers to deliver results. Despite that, the department opted not to launch a formal disciplinary process, according to 9NEWS. Two officers were later cleared to return to full duty in mid-2025, and the city says it dissolved the Impact unit after a significant drop in motor-vehicle thefts.
Legal view
Jefferson County prosecutors reviewed the case and declined to file criminal charges against the officers involved, determining that the use of force did not carry a reasonable likelihood of conviction, CPR News reports. That call effectively closed the door on criminal accountability, even as the internal review highlighted policy violations before the shooting.
What the families say
Relatives of those killed say body-worn camera footage and GPS data have left them with more questions than answers, and they have continued to demand accountability from Thornton leadership. "We want answers," said the mother of Joby Vigil in comments to reporters and investigators, according to The Denver Gazette.
Policy implications
Advocates say the internal review underscores the risks of quiet, undercover pursuits that cross city lines and argue it shows why departments need firmer oversight of such units. Colorado law allows officers to continue a pursuit beyond their jurisdiction when they are in hot pursuit, yet agencies must still set clear rules to govern that authority, legal experts told CPR News. While Thornton officials have cited falling auto-theft numbers as justification for shutting down the Impact unit, the internal findings suggest the city will face mounting pressure to tighten written policies and boost supervisory accountability.
