Gov. Polis calls for independent investigation into De’Von Bailey shooting
Gov. Jared Polis released a statement Thursday calling for an independent investigation into the shooting of 19-year-old De’Von Bailey, who was killed by Colorado Springs police on Aug. 3.
Bailey was shot four times by two CSPD officers after he fled from a stop. Bailey and another man were stopped by police after a victim reported being robbed at gunpoint and gave police the two men’s descriptions.
Video showed Bailey holding the front of his shorts as he ran from officers, and after he fell to the ground, police found what they identified as a gun between his legs.
The shooting prompted outrage from Bailey’s family and their supporters; multiple demonstrations have taken place in Colorado Springs and supporters have called for an independent investigation into the shooting. The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office led the investigation and gave a report to the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office last week.
The two officers have been reinstated to duty, but we’re still waiting for an outcome from the DA’s office.
Thursday, Polis said he believes “Colorado Springs residents would be best served by an independent review of the events surrounding De’Von Bailey’s death.”
“An independent review would ensure the public’s confidence in the results and maintain trust in law enforcement going forward,” Polis continued in the statement, which was obtained by KDVR. “I encourage the El Paso County district attorney’s office to consider turning the investigation’s findings over to another local jurisdiction for independent review.”
Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers, who previously served as the state’s Attorney General, disagreed with Polis’ statement and said he’s concerned that the statement “suggests a precedence with impacts he has not yet considered and does not understand.”
Suthers says Polis “cites no legal or ethical basis that should cause the 4th Judicial District Attorney … to make a charging decision to recuse himself.”
Community members rallied more than 2,000 signatures on a petition calling for an independent investigation as well and presented it to the Attorney General’s office this week.
Lawrence Pacheco, director of communications for the office said in an email, “the Attorney General’s office is in receipt of the petition. On Tuesday, staff from the Attorney General’s office met with members of the Colorado Springs community who traveled to Denver to deliver the petition to the office. There is pain in the community and a lot of questions, and AG staff listened to their concerns. The Attorney General’s office also has been in contact with local law enforcement.”
Pacheco was quick to clarify, the Attorney General Phil Weiser will not make a decision to intervene in this process. He specified saying, “under Colorado law, it is a District Attorney’s decision whether to refer a matter to another judicial district.”
KRDO reached out to the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office several times on Thursday but did hear back.
A rally has been scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Thursday, where Bailey’s family plans to reiterate their call for an independent review.
WATCH the presser below:
We’ll have more on this story throughout the day.
