Death by Cop  2021-2025

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Michael Hurst

Gender : Male

Age : 40

Race : White

Date : 05/18/2024

Location : 4200 block of Deerfield Hills Road

City : Colorado Springs

County : El Paso

State : Colorado

Agency : Colorado Springs Police Department

Officer(s) :Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during welfare check

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On May 18, 2024, at approximately 10:30 p.m., officers from the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) responded to a welfare check regarding a suicidal male armed with a firearm in the 4200 block of Deerfield Hills Road. Before officers arrived, a shot was fired from inside the residence, and other occupants were able to safely exit. Upon arrival, officers located 40-year-old Michael Ray Hurst Jr. inside the apartment and attempted to engage him.
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As officers approached, Hurst reportedly pointed a firearm at them. Officers immediately ordered him to drop the weapon. When Hurst failed to comply and continued to raise the firearm, at least one officer discharged their weapon, fatally striking Hurst. Officers then provided emergency medical aid, and Hurst was transported to a hospital, where he died two days later. No officers or bystanders were harmed during the incident.
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The El Paso County Sheriff's Office is leading the investigation into this officer-involved shooting. The Fourth Judicial District Attorney's Office reviewed the case and determined that the officer's actions were justified, stating that Hurst posed an imminent threat to officer safety.

The Colorado Springs Police Department released body-worn camera footage to provide transparency. The footage shows officers issuing verbal commands to Hurst, who then raised a firearm toward them, prompting the officers to use deadly force.
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Hurst's family and community members have expressed grief over his death and raised concerns about the handling of the situation, citing his mental health crisis at the time. The CSPD continues to cooperate with the investigation and will provide 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: December 1, 2024

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.epcsheriffsoffice.com/news-releases/deerfield-hills-rd-officer-involved-shooting-update
https://www.koaa.com/news/crime/district-attorneys-office-finds-shooting-involving-police-earlier-this-month-justified
https://krdo.com/news/2024/05/20/family-and-friends-remember-man-killed-in-officer-involved-shooting-in-colorado-springs/
https://coloradosprings.gov/significant-event-briefing-officer-involved-shooting-may-18-2024
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/michael-hurst-obituary?id=55226018