DA Rules Colorado Springs Officers' Fatal April Parking-Lot Shooting Justified

Overview

• The Fourth Judicial District Attorney published its full review and body-worn camera footage and on Monday ruled the April 4 shooting legally justified, saying no criminal charges will be filed against the three officers.
• Officers and an El Paso County deputy were patrolling a designated high-crime area when they identified Benjamin Greenfield in a truck at a McDonald's and used their vehicles to block him while ordering occupants to exit.
• According to the DA report, officers attempted nonlethal steps including throwing rocks and preparing a pepper-ball gun before Greenfield fired one shot from inside his vehicle that struck the bulletproof windshield of an officer's car.
• Three officers then returned fire; the report lists Officer White firing 17 rounds, Officer Dauchy 16 rounds and Officer Mueller six rounds, Greenfield was struck ten times, officers recovered two handguns, and he later died at a hospital after life-saving efforts.
• The DA cited the imminent threat to officers and noted Greenfield's prior drug and weapons convictions and a recent FBI-related arson identification as factors in threat assessment, leaving criminal review closed while public and departmental responses remain possible.