The man killed by police Saturday had a restraining order against him, ordering him to stay away from the house in Montbello, Denver Police said Sunday.
Police declined to identify the man, who was in his mid-40s, stating they are waiting for a positive identification from the coroner’s office. They also declined to provide details for why the restraining order was in place.
According to a press release, police were called to the home at 5553 N. Dillon Way around 6 p.m. with reports that an intoxicated man had cut himself. The restraining order, in place since April, also prohibited the man from consuming alcohol.
When police arrived, the suspect had left.
Around 6:30 p.m., the man returned with a large knife, said Sonny Jackson, a spokesman with the Denver Police Department. Officers from the Crisis Intervention Team attempted to defuse the situation but the man charged the officers with the knife, Jackson said.
Police deployed a Pepperball and a Tazer against the man but were unsuccessful at stopping him. Two officers fired the shots that killed the man.
“These officers tried to do everything they could to not use deadly force,” Jackson said. “Anyone who thinks a knife is not a deadly weapon is making a grave mistake.”
Jenel Stelton-Holtmeier: 303-954-1661 or jsteltonholtmeier@denverpost.com
