Another life lost to police shooting, this time a teenager with a stolen car at 630am accompanied by four friends - the automobile was in motion and was fired on by two LEOs.
DENVER — Several dozen people with candles and protest signs gathered near the alley where Denver police officers fatally shot a 16-year-old girl on Monday, recalling her bright smile and demanding answers about the deadly encounter.
Police shot the teenager Monday morning after they say she struck and injured an officer with a stolen car. Authorities did not release the girl's name, but friends identified her as Jessica Hernandez.
Nineteen-year-old Cynthia Valdez, a close friend and schoolmate of the girl, said Monday night "we're angry about it. It's another life taken by another cop."
Police Chief Robert White says an officer had been called to check on a suspicious vehicle. White says a colleague arrived and as the officers approached the car, the driver struck one of them with the vehicle. The officers then opened fire.
It was the third time in seven months that Denver police have shot suspects whom they accused of using cars as weapons.
The shooting happened about 6:30 a.m. near the intersection of East 25th Avenue and Newport Street in Park Hill. A volley of shots rang out in the crowded residential area, waking neighbors who said the gun reports were followed by screams and cries.
Neighbors said there were five teenagers in the car. The driver, who was pronounced dead after being rushed to a hospital, was a high school student, friends and neighbors said.
"Based on what I know about the case, obviously there are a lot of questions that need to be answered," Denver Police Chief Robert White told reporters at the scene.
White said both officers fired their weapons and together discharged "several" shots. Police have not said whether anyone in the car was armed.