Police: Hammer Found Underneath CU Student's Body
BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4)- Police in Boulder have released more details surrounding the shooting death of a University of Colorado student in Boulder on Monday night.
Samuel Forgy, 22, died at approximately 10:30 p.m. Monday after a police officer shot him in a stairway inside an apartment building.
Police said they were called after Forgy attacked several people in an apartment in the 1800 block of 19th Street, injuring a 23-year-old man with a knife. When officers arrived the confronted Forgy in the stairwell just outside his apartment where he was naked and holding a hammer.
Officers confirmed that Forgy briefly crouched down and put the hammer on the landing as if he was complying with their orders but then picked up the hammer again and muttered unintelligibly. He quickly climbed onto the balcony hand railing.
Police said when Forgy stood up again Boulder Police Officer Darren Fladung deployed his taser to try to stop him. While one probe lodged in Forgy's side the second probe missed and lodged in the wall behind him. In order for the taser to work both probes must contact the body to complete the electrical circuit.
Officer Dillon Garretson fired multiple shots from his service weapon and Forgy was struck and fell from the railing to the stairs and part of a landing below the officers. He was pronounced dead on scene with the hammer found beneath his body.
"This is such a sad situation. Clearly, it is tragic for Mr. Forgy's family, and our hearts go out to them," said Police Chief Greg Testa in a statement. "It is also a difficult and emotional situation for the officers who were called upon to make split second decisions about how to ensure their safety and the safety of those around them. There was a moment when officers thought Mr. Forgy was going to cooperate so they could take him into custody and resolve the situation. Unfortunately, that did not occur."
The Boulder County Coroner's Office will perform the toxicology tests to determine what substances, if any, Forgy had consumed that night. A roommate and friends inside the apartment where the altercation began told officers they believe Forgy was high on LSD.
During the struggle inside the apartment where occupants tried to subdue Forgy, at least two people suffered bite marks, a chair was broken and one victim was slashed in the face with a knife. Police also confirm blood was found in several locations in the apartment.
The victim with knife wounds is recovering. He was treated at Boulder Community Health and released on Friday.
Officers Garretson and Fladung have both been with the Boulder Police Department since July 2013. Garretson has been placed on leave with pay until the district attorney's office has completed its review. The department is also conducting an internal review.
