A probationary Lakewood police agent, who punished two 13-year-old boys by shooting them with soft pellets from an Airsoft gun, has resigned from the department.
The incident occurred April 4 when police agent Alexandre Simoes-Diz responded to a call at West Ninth Avenue and Miller Street on complaints that the two boys were chasing younger children with guns, said Steve Davis, Lakewood police spokesman.
When the agent, who had been with the department about a year and on the streets for five months, caught the teenagers, he gave them a choice. He could either issue a summons or shoot them with the Airsoft gun, said Davis.
The two boys chose to be shot with the gun, whose pellets are so soft that they leave no marks, said Davis.
Davis said Simoes-Diz shot each boy once in the rear.
“It was, quite frankly, poor judgment on the agent’s part,” said Davis. “They were given a choice, which included issuing a summons if appropriate. But dealing out street justice is not sound judgment.”
Davis said Airsoft guns are unlike BB, pelt gun or paint-ball projectiles in that the spherical Airsoft pellets are extremely soft.
They are used in simulated battles — much like paint-ball guns — but are so soft that the manufacturer says participants must use an “honor system” to report being hit.
Davis added, however, that Airsoft guns look like real weapons.
After an internal investigation, the case was forwarded to the Jefferson County district attorney’s office for review.
When the DA decided to file one count of disorderly conduct against Simoes-Diz and the agent was informed of the decision, he decided to resign from the department, said Davis.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
