Man Shot, Killed On CU Campus Was Discharged Marine
BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4)- The man shot and killed by police on the University of Colorado Boulder campus after officers say he refused to drop a machete Wednesday morning was recently discharged from the military.
Friends say Brandon Simmons was an active Marine for 10 years but was recently discharged.
They say he moved to Colorado five months ago, but was previously stationed in San Diego and spent time serving in Iraq.
His last Facebook post early Wednesday morning reads: "I command you to stop eating creatures from the water."
Sunday, another Facebook post from Simmons, 28, shows a photo from the film "Gangs of New York" with a man that appears to be holding a machete and cleaver.
Investigators say Simmons held the machete during an altercation in the parking lot of a sports complex Wednesday and then went inside the building, where a staff member called 911.
He was shot after he refused to drop the weapon and follow officers' orders.
Those closest to him say he may have been suffering from PTSD or depression at the time of the shooting. They tell CBS4 he grew up in and out of foster homes and shelters in Texas, and leaves behind two children.
Investigators are still trying to figure out what ties Simmons may have had to the CU campus.
The two police officer involved in the shooting have been named by authorities.
CUPD Officer Clay Austin and Boulder PD Officer Jason Connor are on paid administrative leave as the investigation continues.
Andrea Flores is a reporter for CBS4. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter @AndreaFloresTV.
