GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.—Two Colorado state troopers have been indicted in the fatal shooting of a man in Mesa County.
Ivan Lawyer and Kirk Firko were indicted Thursday on counts of criminal trespass and criminal mischief. Lawyer also was indicted on counts of criminally negligent homicide, second-degree assault, illegal discharge of a firearm and prohibited use of a weapon.
Both are on unpaid administrative leave.
The shooting happened July 20 after the troopers responded to a report that a pickup truck hauling a Jet Ski had crashed in a yard and that three people who may have been intoxicated appeared to be trying to leave the scene.
The troopers found the truck parked nearby at the home of Jason Kemp, who refused to let them in his home without a warrant, according to the indictment.
While Firko tried to keep two other men from leaving the back of the home, Lawyer kicked in the front door and saw Kemp in the darkness raise his arm, the indictment said. Lawyer saw a flash and initially thought he had been shot but realized he had shot Kemp in the chest, the indictment said. Kemp was unarmed.
Lawyer’s number is unlisted. Firko’s attorney, Harvey Steinberg, didn’t immediately return a message seeking comment Saturday.
