Members of community rally behind La Junta man

A group of about 30 people rallied for a man who they say was brutally beaten by police.

Friends and family of Donovan Duran, the 24-year-old martial arts fighter and father, stood on a La Junta street corner across from the La Junta Police Department with a message.

“We’re here to make a statement and to support Donovan,” said Terrance Hestand, a family friend.

On December 7th, La Junta Police arrested Duran, who they say was drunk and disorderly.

The group says police paralyzed him.

“He has a broken neck and is possibly paralyzed from the neck down,” said Edward Duran, Donovan’s father.

Organizers of the rally say they have contacted police several times with no reply.

KRDO NewsChannel 13 spoke with Susan Medina, spokesperson for the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Medina told us the following during a phone conversation:

“Our agents are investigating and engaging with the district attorney’s office, coordinating with the La Junta Police Dept. We continue to move forward with this investigation and are unable to release details at this time.”

Two police officers continue to be on administrative duties while the case is being investigated.