An Aurora police sergeant who fired an AR-15 rifle at a suspected car thief will not face criminal charges in connection with the shooting.
Seventeenth Judicial District Attorney Dave Young concluded that the suspect made aggressive driving maneuvers and that Sgt. Kevin Barnes was in fear for his life when he fired the rifle three times April 1, according to a June 29 letter Young wrote to Aurora Police Chief Nick Metz.
“At the time Sergeant Barnes fired his weapon, he stated he was in fear for his life, the lives of his fellow officer and citizens,” the letter said.
Michael Adrian Torres, 24, suffered two gunshot wounds to his lower back, the letter said. He was treated at a local hospital and was charged with vehicular eluding upon his release.
Torres was under surveillance by the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority and Central Metropolitan Auto Theft Task Force at the time of the shooting and was wanted in connection with aggravated motor vehicle theft out of Denver.
