Aurora Officers Shot At Following Threatening Call To 911 Dispatch
AURORA, Colo. (CBS4) - Police in Aurora are on edge after they say someone fired shots at officers over the weekend. Police also said they received a threatening phone call but they don't think it's related to the shots fired.
Because of the situation, at least one area agency says that rather sending a single officer or deputy, some residents will see more patrol cars and multiple officers responding to emergency calls.
That increase is meant to keep law enforcement safe.
The threatening call was placed to 911 dispatch on Sunday, just days after an Illinois police officer was shot to death outside Chicago. The caller stated the following: "It's time that you guys know we are no longer playing around with the police departments. Aurora and Denver we are about to start striking fear shooting down all cops that we see by their selves (sic). This will go for the Sheriff's Department. You guys are evicting innocent people. Let us catch you by ya'll (phonetic) self and it's shots fired."
LINK: Listen To The Threatening Call
"The Aurora Police Department is actively investigating this incident," Diana Cooley with Aurora police said in a statement.
About four hours later, around 10 p.m., someone fired at officers near 19th and Elmira Street, but Cooley said, "It would appear, at this point, this incident is completely unrelated to the suspicious threats call."
In a recording of police radio correspondence at the time, an officer is heard saying "Three shots fired, we're taking fire from the north ... just send everybody."
No one was hurt in the shooting incident and police haven't found the shooter or shooters.
LINKS: Letter To Officers About Threat From Denver's Manager Of Safety | Letter To Officers About Threat From Denver Police Chief Robert White
"This is an incredibly intense and challenging time for law enforcement. When violence or threats of violence occur towards officers, we take it very seriously, because I expect my officers to go home safe to their families at the end of their shift," Aurora Police Chief Nick Metz said in a statement. "The other reality is if they are willing to hurt an officer, they are certainly willing to victimize folks in the community."
Metz called his executive staff together to review training and other procedures they could put in place as a result of the threat.
"If they don't go home at the end of their shift safely they can't protect this community the way it needs to be protected.
Aurora Police Association president told CBS4 on Tuesday that officers are checking in on each other and being encouraged to be extra vigilant with regards to safety.
LINK: Aurora Police Association News Release: Threats To Police
In addition, the Colorado Information Analysis Center sent a warning to law enforcement officers statewide. That alert went out to more than 4,000 people and agencies.
On Wednesday citizens plan to gather outside the Aurora Police Headquarters and join hands in what they're calling a "circle of love" to symbolically protect the police.
Additional Information From The Aurora Police Department
We are asking anyone with information about the shots fired at officers to contact Detective Brian Schnicke at (303)739-6931. Anyone with tips about either case can also contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867). Tipsters to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and are eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.
