A man who along with his brother was shot by Denver police in Commerce City last month is due in Adams County court on Monday afternoon.
Joel Jurado Jr., 26, was charged last week with attempted first-degree assault on a police officer and one count of aggravated driving with a revoked license as a habitual offender. Police say Jurado struck a Denver police vehicle as officers approached his pickup truck on foot.
A police officer fired into the vehicle, striking Jurado and his younger brother Carlos Jurado, 20.
The Jurados’ family are accusing law enforcement authorities of hiding details about the incident and say they are afraid after the shooting.
Police initially recommended Joel Jurado be charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder of a police officer. The district attorney’s office later amended those charges.
Authorities say that on Nov. 20, the Jurados were spotted by Denver and Aurora police, who suspected Joel Jurado of driving under the influence, an offense he has not been charged with.
Shortly after Jurado was spotted, Denver police officers Ernest Sandoval and Jeff Dimanna saw Jurado’s vehicle parked in a private truck depot in Commerce City.
The officers approached the truck on foot before Jurado allegedly drove it into the empty Denver police vehicle. The Jurados were shot while they were still inside their truck.
Authorities have not said whether Sandoval or Dimanna fired his weapon or how many shots were fired. The Adams County district attorney’s office is reviewing whether the Denver officers’ actions were appropriate.
Police in Denver, Commerce City and Aurora have said little about the officer-involved shooting, saying the investigation into the incident is “ongoing.”
Jesse Paul: 303-954-1733, jpaul@denverpost.com or twitter.com/JesseAPaul