Man fatally shot by Aurora police officer during domestic dispute identified
MattGush
The Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office has identified a man who was fatally shot by an Aurora police officer during a domestic disturbance call on Saturday night.
The death of Todd Patrick Smith, 58, is being ruled as a death by gunshot, according to the coroner’s office.
At around 5:45 p.m. Saturday, an Aurora police officer responded to a domestic disturbance call at a home in the 15800 block of East Arkansas Drive, where a husband and wife were found, according to an Aurora Police Department news release Sunday.
Upon arrival, police said, the husband went to the garage. Other officers arrived and spoke to him.
As officers were asking him about the alleged disturbance, the man pulled out a handgun from a toolbox. After multiple orders to drop his weapon, the man allegedly pointed the gun at officers and then was shot by one of them, police said.
The 58-year-old man was transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries before police announced his death on Sunday morning.
Police said the officer who opened fire was placed on paid administrative leave, and no officers were injured.
The shooting occurred around 6 p.m., within 15 minutes of the officer’s arrival.
The 18th Judicial District is leading an independent investigation into whether the officer was justified in opening fire. The Aurora Police Department will determine whether the officer shooting his weapon complied with department policy, police said.
There are no updates to the investigation as of Monday, an Aurora police spokesperson said.
Authorities ask anyone with information to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at (720) 913-7867. Tipsters can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.




