Death by Cop 2021-2025
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Ronald Ray Valdez
Gender : Male
Age : 34
Race : Latino/a/e
Date : 06/19/2024
Location : Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen at at 1301 W US-50
City : Pueblo
County : Pueblo
State : Colorado
Agency : Pueblo Police Department
Officer(s) :Not disclosed
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed by police during disturbance
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On June 19, 2024, at approximately 7:45 p.m., officers from the Pueblo Police Department responded to a report of a man with a weapon in the parking lot of a Popeyes restaurant near the intersection of U.S. Highway 50 and Outlook Boulevard in Pueblo, Colorado. Upon arrival, they located 34-year-old Ronald Ray Valdez in a vehicle. Officers instructed Valdez to show his hands; however, he allegedly refused to comply and began firing a handgun at the officers. In response, several officers returned fire, fatally wounding Valdez at the scene. No officers were injured during the incident.
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Following standard procedure, the officers involved were placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. The Pueblo County Sheriff's Office is leading the investigation, which is being reviewed by the 10th Judicial Critical Incident Response Team. Chief Chris Noeller of the Pueblo Police Department stated that the investigation is expected to take approximately 9 to 10 months.
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In an effort to provide transparency, the Pueblo Police Department released body and dash camera footage of the incident. The footage shows officers issuing commands to Valdez, who is then seen firing a handgun at the officers before they return fire. Chief Noeller emphasized that the officers had "every right to defend themselves."
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Valdez's family has identified him as the individual involved in the incident. A vigil was held in his memory, where family and friends gathered to honor his life.
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The Pueblo Police Department has stated that it will continue to cooperate with the ongoing investigation and is committed to providing updates as more information becomes available.
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NUMBER OF CASUALTIES DURING THIS POLICE ENCOUNTER: 1 fatality
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Last update: 12/01/2024
SOURCE LINKS :
https://www.denverpost.com/2024/06/20/pueblo-police-shooting-fatal-popeyes/
https://krdo.com/news/2024/07/01/mayor-of-pueblo-police-chief-address-shooting-where-6-officers-were-placed-on-leave/
