‘You do not get to selectively choose who gets safety in your supposed care and custody.’
byJo Carroll, For the Sentinel
AURORA | Kilyn Lewis Jr., son of the unarmed man fatally shot by an Aurora police officer last month, made his first public comment at a rally Friday held to honor the death of his father.
“My dad didn’t have a gun,” said Kilyn Lewis Jr. before holding up a shirt with his father’s face printed on it. “My dad was a king. He was a king.”
The rally, led by local activist Candice Bailey and Lewis’ family, drew about 50 supporters of Kilyn Lewis outside of the Aurora Municipal Center to demand action be taken against SWAT officer Michael Dieck, who fired the shot that killed Lewis.
“You do not get to be the judge, jury and executioner,” Bailey said. “You do not get to selectively choose who gets safety in your supposed care and custody.”
Kilyn Lewis, 37, was shot as officers moved in to arrest him in the parking lot of a condo complex in Aurora on May 23. Body-worn camera footage shows officers shouted at Kilyn Lewis to get on the ground, and he raised his hands, one of which held a cellphone, before he was shot once by Dieck.
An arrest warrant had been issued for Kilyn Lewis after he was suspected of being involved in a May 5 shooting in Denver that injured a man, according to court documents.
Addressing the crowd Friday evening, the family called for Dieck to be tried and convicted of first-degree murder.
“We will not be silenced for a moment,” said LaRonda Jones, addressing her words directly to 18th Judicial District Attorney John Kellner and Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman, who were not present. “Just know, we’re not going nowhere.”
The shooting is being investigated by the Aurora Police Department’s Internal Investigations Bureau as well as by the 18th Judicial District’s Critical Incident Response Team, which has the power to recommend criminal charges for Dieck.
The event began with the family addressing the crowd and news reporters directly, with Bailey taking the lead. The family reiterated their commitment to ensuring criminal charges are pursued against Dieck and taking action against the city.
The event transitioned to the stairs of the municipal building to open to comment from family and friends of Lewis. The group asked everyone in attendance to chant “don’t shoot” and raise their phones in the air to imitate the position Lewis’ hands were in before he was shot.
The grandmother, brother and mother of Lewis all took turns speaking, calling for action.
“My kids will never get to enjoy their uncle,” said Kiawa Lewis, brother of Kilyn.
The group continued to call for Dieck to be convicted, stating that it was unfair that he is currently on paid administrative leave, spending time with his family.
After public comment, the group called out Lewis’ name as well as the names of other unarmed Black men killed by police.
The event was closed by Bailey, who stated that she and the family planned to attend a City Council meeting 6 p.m. June 24 to address city lawmakers.
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9 Comments
He was a POS that got was deserved, he didn’t comply to lawful commands! There was NO loss to our community with him gone, tax dollars were saved!
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If police order me to do something, I would immediately comply.
Especially if under suspicion for a crime, I would not move my hand to my back where a hidden weapon could be athe ready.
I would not give police any reason/excuse to shoot me.
If unjustly detained, LIVE to take ito court.Reply
Sorry for the family’s loss. When police are pointing guns and your hand is behind your back, you don’t reach for an object (gun/phone). Police officers don’t have x-ray vision to identify the object. They must assume a gun and protect their lives. I hope justice prevails when all the facts are examined. Unfortunately, once minds are made-up, no amount of facts will change them.
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The officers were yelling to freese! Don’t move! Stop! And he reaches to retrive his phone. Stupid! How many times do we see this played out everyday and peopke still play stupid!
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Just another case where the black activists in Aurora, spew out their hatred at the rest of us over a case that holds no merit. When will the black community in Aurora begin to listen to police when ordered to comply with police orders?
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I do not understand the thought process of a person being approached by Law Enforcement and ordered to stop, freeze, show your hands.
It is so easy to COMPLY, figure out what is happening, and move on.
As I understand this man was wanted on warrants for attempted homicide. He shot another human.
Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. He made a choice, a poor choice.
The involved officer had no idea what this man was doing or thinking when he reached behind his back. He did his job. He does not deserve to be be arrested.
Thank you.Reply
The old saying, “Shoot first, ask questions later” should NOT apply to any law enforcement agency.
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Did the woman who called into city hall really say that the city of Aurora should pay the travel expenses of protesters who wanted to come to the city to protest? That was the dumbest thing I may have ever heard. And did the protesters terrorizing council members really think the city council created the problem? I get it, vent if you’re hurting, but have some dignity and class and dont try to take it out on people who have nothing to do with it. That wasn’t grieving, it was a performance.
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Lewis had run-ins with law enforcement prior to May, pleading guilty to separate incidents of robbery, child abuse, trespassing and illegally discharging a firearm. State records show he served time in Colorado’s Department of Corrections. In the present matter he was wanted for shooting a man in a drive-by shooting in Denver. he had to know or suspect law enforcement would be looking for him. From his past encounters he had to know to comply with law enforcement. Instead he steps away from them, hids both hands, one in his pocket and one behind his back and then he suddenly rases his hands, one with an object in it, a phone as it turns out. He createrd his own story, one where he is violent and sudden and then his family wants to pretend he was some “King”. His death was unfortunate but the officer was confronted with a vilent felon wanted for attempted murder who did not follow directions though he had to know they were coming who then pulled an object from behind his back, inexplicably leading to an officer in that uncertain moment interpreting his action as pulling a gun, interpreting wrongly as it turned out. The family wants to make this a cause celebre. They seek a pay day like that which was recieved by Elijah McClain. Young Elijah was a strange but harmless fellow. This man was not. He was a menace. I understand his family greiving, but their grief does not alter who this man was and what he did.
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