17-year-old fatally shot by Aurora police officers after calling 911 on himself

27 days ago
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Aurora, CO - The shooting happened on Sept. 18 at the Conoco gas station in the 200 block of South Havana Street near East Alameda Avenue.

In a press conference Friday, Chamberlain said the incident began at 7:33 p.m. when the suspect — identified as 17-year-old Blaze Aleczander Balle-Mason — called 911 and told the operator he had a loaded 9mm pistol in his pocket and planned to "shoot up" the gas station and surrounding area. He also reportedly said he wanted to shoot responding officers.

Three officers arrived at the scene at 7:43 p.m. with a "tactical plan" in which one officer was armed with a rifle, the second with a pistol and the third with a "40mm less-lethal launcher."

Chamberlain said his officers approached the suspect, identified themselves as police, and ordered the teen to show his hands. The 17-year-old ignored those commands, according to the police chief, and advanced toward the officers with one hand concealed in his pocket.

The officer with the "less-lethal launcher" fired "multiple rounds" at the 17-year-old, striking him, according to Chamberlain. The rounds, however, had "little to no impact or effect" on the suspect.

Chamberlain said his officers retreated around the corner, and the suspect began to "chase" police. The teen's hand remained in his pocket, according to the police chief.

As the suspect neared the officers, one officer fired his weapon, striking the 17-year-old. Officers provided life-saving measures until medical personnel arrived.

The teen was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

According to Chamberlain, the time between when officers first made contact with the suspect and when shots were fired was 15 seconds.

Investigators did not recover a handgun; however, Chamberlain cited the suspect's 911 call, his failure to show his hands, the ineffectiveness of the "less-lethal" rounds, and his advancement toward officers as reasons for the lethal action.

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