A man accused of shooting and killing an Aurora police detective has been indicted in a separate case in an attempted murder two days earlier.
On Wednesday, Brian Washington, 27, was charged with attempted first-degree murder by a Denver grand jury. He is accused of shooting into a car driven by a 55-year-old Jefferson County woman on Sept. 18 at East 33rd Avenue and Pontiac Street in Denver.
The woman was able to duck, and the bullet scraped her head before it hit the back seat of the vehicle. She was able to drive away and call police.
Washington is scheduled to appear in Denver District Court this morning, when he will be advised of the charge against him.
Washington is in the Adams County jail without bail,charged with first-degree murder in the death of Detective Mike Thomas.
A 24-year veteran of the Aurora Police Department, Thomas was fatally shot Sept. 20 while at an intersection in his civilian clothes and driving his own car.
Thomas, 52, was on duty, leaving one training session for another, when he was shot at East Montview Boulevard and Peoria Street.
Thomas was buried Tuesday.
Washington is to appear in Adams County District Court at 8:30 a.m. Monday for a hearing to decide whether court documents will be unsealed in the Thomas case. Those include search- and arrest-warrant affidavits.
Washington is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Dec. 7.
District Attorney Don Quick has not said whether he will seek the death penalty against Washington if he is convicted of Thomas’ murder. Cindy Matthews, spokeswoman for the Thomas family, said Thursday that the family would support the death penalty if Quick decided to seek it against Washington.
Those wishing to help the family can do so by donating to the Mike Thomas Memorial Fund at the Rocky Mountain Law Enforcement Federal Credit Union.
Staff writer Carlos Illescas can be reached at 303-954-1175 or cillescas@denverpost.com.
