Aurora Sergeant Who Fired Rifle Won't Face Charges

The Aurora Police sergeant who fired a rifle three times at a suspected car thief, striking him twice, in April will not face charges, the district attorney for the Seventeenth Judicial District informed Aurora's police chief in a letter.

The investigation determined that Sergeant Kevin Barnes feared for his life because of the aggressive driving of Michael Torres who was under surveillance and wanted in connection with a Denver car theft.

"At the time Sergeant Barnes fired his weapon, he stated he was in fear for his life, the lives of his fellow officer and citizens,” the letter said, according to The Denver Post, which first reported the decision by District Attorney Dave Young. (For more information on this and other local stories, subscribe to your local Patch for breaking news alerts.)

Torres, who suffered two gunshot wounds to his back, was charged with vehicular eluding after he was treated at a hospital.

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