No charges for Colorado deputies, trooper in deadly shooting on US 36
DENVER (KDVR) — More than three months after a Christmas Eve officer shooting left one man dead, a district attorney found that the three deputies and trooper involved did not commit a crime.
On Dec. 24, 2023, Efrain Inda was shot and killed during a traffic stop on U.S. 36 in Boulder County.
According to the District Attorney’s Office for the 20th Judicial District, Colorado State Patrol Cpl. Ziadeh noticed a Dodge Charger stopped on the right shoulder of U.S. 36. Ziadeh pulled behind the car to see if the driver needed help, and that’s when the DA’s office said Ziadeh noticed a bullet hole in the window and called for assistance from the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office.
Inda was in the car, and the DA’s office said he failed to comply with commands. Ten minutes later, Inda stepped out of the Charger carrying a handgun and cell phone and walked to the back of the car where he placed the gun on the car’s trunk.
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However, the DA said that Inda would not step away from the gun when asked.
According to the DA’s Office, Inda allegedly yelled “Shoot me” to the officers and placed his hand near the gun. The deputies and troopers that responded to the scene told Inda they did not want to shoot him, that he wasn’t in trouble and that they wanted to help him.
The DA said it took over 15 minutes of de-escalation techniques before Inda claimed he was going to pick up the gun.
At that point, one deputy fired less-lethal rounds, striking Inda. Inda then grabbed his gun and pointed it at officers, according to the DA’s office.
Inda and law enforcement officers both fired shots, and Inda fell to the ground.
One deputy, Deputy Barcenas, had a hole in his cargo pants but was not injured by gunfire.
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The Critical Incident Team for the 20th Judicial District searched the scene and found a spent 9mm casing under his body and a second spent casing in Inda’s car. Investigators discovered both shell casings were shot from Inda’s gun.
Following the investigation, the Critical Incident Team found that Trooper Bockhold, Deputy Davis, Barcenas, and Deputy Finkbiner discharged their weapons during the incident and that it was a reasonable use of force as they believed Inda was armed and a danger to officers and bystanders.
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According to the DA’s decision, the officers did not commit a crime that can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
“On Christmas Eve, these law enforcement officers sought to help a motorist in need. The officers told Mr. Inda that they had families, that he was not in trouble, and that they wanted to help him. Despite all their courageous efforts to deescalate the situation, Mr. Inda grabbed his gun and fired at law enforcement. I appreciate the thorough investigation into this tragic incident, as well as the cooperation of the eyewitnesses,” said District Attorney Michael Dougherty.
After every Critical Incident Team investigation, Dougherty holds a community town hall. The virtual hall will be at 3:30 p.m. on April 4.
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