Thornton police officers cleared in 2024 shooting, injuring armed suspect

By None None May 22, 2025 | updated 1 year ago

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Flashing lights on top of police patrol car Image: kali9 (iStock). (copy) — FILE PHOTO: Image: kali9 (iStock).
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Three Thornton police offers were justified in shooting an armed suspect multiple times in August, 17th District Attorney Brian Mason ruled.

Mason issued a decision letter Thursday after reviewing the 17th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team’s investigation report into the shooting of Corey Shepard by City of Thornton Police Department officers.

“Given the totality of the circumstances and evidence, the prosecution cannot prove these officers were not justified in using reasonable force under § 18-1-707, C.R.S. (2024),” Mason said in the decision letter. “Therefore, applying the facts of this incident to the applicable law, no criminal charges will be filed against Detective Ayoub, Detective Keeling or Officer Barrera.”

The shooting took place on Aug. 20, 2024, when North Metro Task Force members were conducting a drug saturation operation along the 120th Avenue Corridor in Adams County.

At the conclusion of the operation, Det. Geoffrey Keeling and Det. Annet Cea observed Shepard in the parking lot of a Maverick gas station at 5480 E 120th Ave.

Shepard was known to detectives from previous investigations, and detectives confirmed that he had an active felony warrant out for a weapons violation, according to investigators.

Noting that Shepard was know to be armed and dangerous, Det. Musa Ayoub with the North Metro Task Force and Ofc. Adrian Barerra responded to the scene to assist.

The four law enforcement officers, dressed in vests reading “police” approached Shepard in the parking lot. Shepard was accompanied by another man who had a dog on a leash.

The detectives “immediately” identified themselves as police and told Shepard to “stop right there” and “put your hands up,” according to the summary of the incident.

Shepard turned away from the detectives and walked away, they then drew their weapons.

Detectives continue to give demands, telling Shepard that he was under arrest and to get on the ground. Shepard continued to walk away, on several occasions reaching for his waistband, according to the report.

Officers ordered him to “stop reaching” and to “put your hands where we can see them.”

The man with Shepard followed the commands and laid on the ground. Shepard continued to ignore the officers and walked towards an Applebee’s parking lot adjacent to the Maverick.

Another officer, Wes Snyder, arrived at the scene in a marked police car. When detective Ayoub asked officer Snyder if he had a taser he confirmed that he did.

Shepard continued to back away, warning officers not to tase him and reaching for his waistband. Shepard then reached into his waistband exposing a black handgun with an extended magazine.

Ofc. Snyder then deployed his taser, striking Shepard below the waistline. The taser did not stop Shepard, and he drew his handgun.

Ayoub saw Shepard’s handgun fire and fired a single shot at Shepard. Shepard fell forward and landed on the ground, still reaching for his gun next to him.

Ayoub, Keeling, and Barrera fired at him and struck Shepard multiple times.

According to the investigation, it is “not clear” if Shepard fired a round during the interaction based on physical evidence recovered from the scene.

Based on interviews and evidence collected from CIRT investigators, it was determined that Ayoub fired three rounds, Keeling fired five rounds and Barrera fired three rounds from their handguns.

Following the shooting, Shepard was transported to the hospital and treated for gunshot wounds.

Shepard faces charges of menacing, possession of a weapon by a previous offender, large capacity magazine prohibited-during crime, carrying a concealed weapon, obstruction and violation of a protection order.

Shepard’s criminal case is currently pending in Adams County District Court.

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