The warning issued today by Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey was simple: People should not bring firearms to Denver’s Lower Downtown District.
Morrissey’s statement came as he praised Denver Police Sgt. Bryan O’Neill for taking action when he saw 24-year-old Dwight Dean Collins pull a gun and point it at another person at 2:03 a.m. Oct. 17, as LoDo clubs were letting out.
The district attorney reviewed the facts of the case and found that the officer was justified in taking the action he did.
O’Neill saw Collins, who was sitting in his 2006 Dodge Magnum in the 1900 block of Blake Street, pull out a gun, point it out a window and toward an occupied Denver police vehicle.
O’Neill drew his service revolver and fired two shots that pierced the windshield of Collins’ car, with one of the bullets striking Collins in the right cheek.
The bullet went through his cheek and exited Collins’ mouth without causing damage to his teeth or any other area.
According to Collins, who is charged with felony menacing and prohibited use of a weapon, he drew his weapon after a person walking on a nearby sidewalk had tried to stare him down.
He claimed the man put his hands toward his waistband and, fearing he was reaching for a weapon, Collins said he drew his weapon — at which time he was shot by Sgt. O’Neill.
Morrissey said Collins apologized to everyone involved, saying: “In my stupidity, it was a way to defuse the situation, but it just made it worse.”
Morrissey said that police have bulked up their patrols of LoDo at about the time the nightclubs empty in order to prevent violence and property destruction.
“Unfortunately, Denver police officers and citizens continue to be placed in harm’s way by individuals unlawfully bringing firearms to LoDo .” said Morrissey. “There is no justification to bring a firearm to an evening in LoDo.”
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
