On June 16, Miguel Tapia, a 52-year-old transgender individual, tragically lost their life at the intersection of Broadway and Lawrence Street in Denver, Colorado.
The released bodycam footage shows that Tapia, armed with a knife, charged at the officers, prompting them to fire in self-defense.
Tapia was pronounced dead at the scene.
Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas clarified that the officers' actions were a direct response to the imminent threat posed by the knife, not because of Tapia's gender identity or housing status.
Chief Thomas emphasized, “The individual's transgender identity and housing situation did not influence our response. The crucial factor was the imminent threat posed by the knife.”
Denver Police Department (DPD) officers were initially called to the scene after motorists reported Tapia standing in the middle of the intersection. Despite attempts to de-escalate the situation, the situation became increasingly unstable, leading to the unfortunate outcome.
Thomas admitted that there's a possibility Tapia was in this country illegally, as officers have been unable to track down his next of kin.
DPD is investigating the shooting.
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