Denver’s district attorney said Friday he will not file criminal charges against four police officers who shot and killed a suspect in a funeral home parking lot in July.
However, Mitch Morrissey noted that his decision does not limit any Denver Police Department administrative action or civil lawsuits.
Ryan Ronquillo, 20, was shot to death July 2 outside the Romero Family Funeral Home on Tejon Street. Police had been following Ronquillo as they tried to serve him with warrants. He also was driving a stolen car, the DA’s letter said.
When police approached Ronquillo, who was sitting in a parked car in the funeral home parking lot, he put his car in gear to escape. Ronquillo’s Honda struck several police cars and hit two police officers, injuring one.
Officers Jeffrey DiManna, Brian Marshall, Toni Trujillo and Daniel White fired. A bullet struck Ronquillo in the head, killing him.
Now that the DA’s investigation is complete, the Denver Police Department will review the facts to determine whether officers violated any administrative policies, said Commander Matt Murray. After the administrative review, the department will review the tactical decisions the officers made, he said.
The shooting outraged those who live in the community because it happened as a rosary service for another teen was concluding. Dozens of people, many of whom were friends with Ronquillo and his family, witnessed it.
VIDEO: See surveillance video from the funeral home shooting.
In the wake of the shooting, community meetings, vigils and concerts have been held as public officials and religious leaders try to soothe feelings and as family and friends call for justice.
Morrissey’s investigation, however, determined the police officers could reasonably believe they needed to defend themselves against Ronquillo, who was using his car as a weapon.
Ronquillo’s car struck police Trujillo, who had surgery to repair a torn hamstring after the incident, and he also grazed police Sgt. Joel Bell on the left hip but did not seriously injure that officer.
“Ronquillo’s actions gave the officers little choice other than to use deadly physical force to stop the threat he presented,” Morrissey wrote.
Ronquillo also endangered civilians who were in the funeral home parking lot, the DA’s letter said.
“The fact that no civilians and only one officer was injured is remarkable,” the letter said.
Noelle Phillips: 303-954-1661, nphillips@denverpost.com or twitter.com/Noelle_Phillips
