A Brighton Police Department officer was deemed to have used justifiable force in relation to a 2024 incident wherein he gave a man a brain bleed.

Brian Mason, district attorney for the 17th Judicial District, found Officer Christopher Barfield did not use excessive force when beating up Adam Huerta in a bathroom while responding to a domestic violence call at Brighton Japanese American Association Park around 11 a.m. on Oct. 28, 2024, according to a Tuesday DA’s decision letter.

Huerta was later charged with possession with intent to manufacture or distribute fentanyl, tampering with physical evidence, third-degree assault, resisting arrest and second-degree criminal trespass, according to the letter.

“It is abundantly clear that Barfield used physical force in this encounter and one can reasonably question whether the force used was indeed appropriate or necessary under these circumstances,” wrote Mason in the letter. “That said, I conclude that the prosecution cannot prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Barfield acted with the intent or knowledge to cause Huerta’s injuries.”

Barfield was first dispatched to the scene at 10:41 a.m. that day after several 911 callers reported a man, later identified as Huerta, was hitting a woman and grabbing her by the neck outside of restrooms at the park, according to the letter. Barfield was first to arrive on the scene; when Huerta saw the officer, he went into the restroom with a backpack.

After trying to open the locked restroom door, Barfield kicked it open, according to the letter. He then drew his gun, as he could not see Huerta through the privacy barrier between the sink and the stall and did not know if the man was armed.

Barfield then walked around the corner and asked Huerta to show his hands before pulling the man toward him, according to the letter. He also saw a metal tin on the toilet near the suspect, which investigators later determined held fentanyl pills.

Huerta resisted Barfield, and broke away from the officer to make toward the door, according to the letter. Barfield then bear hugged him and a struggle ensued between the two on the ground.

After Huerta crawled through Barfield’s legs and tried to overtake the officer, Barfield picked the man up and forcibly dropped him onto the ground, subduing him, according to the letter. Huerta landed on his back and neck.

Huerta was taken to Platte Valley Medical Center for a brain bleed and serious bodily injuries and was also administered two doses of Narcan for drug use, according to the letter.

Because Barfield was responding to a domestic violence call and was met with resistance “at the very beginning of the encounter” — as Huerta ignored the officer’s commands and tried to fight him — Mason determined Barfield used violence only after other techniques failed. As such, he faces no criminal charges.