CLEAR CREEK COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — The parents of a man who called 911 for help and was ultimately killed by Clear Creek County deputies came forward on Tuesday, saying they want accountability in their son’s death.
The parents of 22-year-old Christian Glass, Sally and Simon Glass, held a news conference on Tuesday morning. Rathod | Mohamedbhai Attorneys At Law, the firm representing the Glass family, said the parents are asking for accountability.
“Sally and Simon have chosen to speak to the press at this time because they want accountability for Christian’s murder and want the public to be aware that the officer who killed their son is back on the street and in uniform,” the firm shared in a release.
The Clear Creek County Coroner’s Office also released the autopsy report for Glass, who was killed by Clear Creek Sheriff’s deputies in June near Silver Plume. According to the autopsy, Glass was shot six times and died as a result of the gunshot wounds.
The autopsy also revealed Glass had amphetamines, THC, and alcohol in his system at the time of his death.
Body camera video from the incident also was released. FOX31 is reviewing the video and will report on it Tuesday on FOX31 News at 5. (Update: View FOX31’s report on the video here.)
Statement from the 5th Judicial District Attorney’s Office
The 5th Judicial District Attorney’s Office shared a statement with FOX31 Tuesday morning following the news conference from the Glass family:
“We are working diligently to thoroughly review the evidence in this case. When a peace officer shoots and wounds or kills a person in Colorado, there are specific protocols to investigate and review such matters. This office is required to issue a report or to present the case to a Grand Jury to further investigate or decide if indictments should issue. I will release my decision on the action this office will take as soon as the review process and a complete and thorough investigation is completed. While we understand that public sentiment may desire this process to move at a more rapid pace , it is not in the interests of justice and fairness to the family of the victim for this matter to be rushed to a conclusion.”
Heidi McCollum, 5th Judicial District Attorney
The district attorney’s office said that it has been in contact with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, and the FBI Denver Division regarding this case.
“I will continue to offer open lines of communication with these agencies as well as with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, throughout the pendency of this case,” said DA McCollum
What happened during the incident, according to the sheriff’s office
The Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office said the incident happened on June 10 around 11:21 p.m. when they received a call for a “motorist assist” near Main Street and Garfield Street in Silver Plume.
When deputies arrived in the area, they said they found a vehicle that looked like it had been involved in an accident.
The sheriff’s office said the driver of the vehicle immediately started being argumentative and uncooperative and armed himself with a knife.
More officers arrived on the scene and the sheriff’s office said they tried for over an hour to end the situation peacefully.
The sheriff’s office said deputies eventually broke out car windows and removed a knife, but the suspect re-armed himself with a rock and second knife.
Deputies said they tried to use bean bags and a Taser but their less lethal methods were unsuccessful.
Eventually deputies said the suspect tried to stab an officer and was shot. He was pronounced dead on scene, the sheriff’s office said.
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation started an investigation and examined the case.
The officer involved in the shooting was placed on administrative leave pending the investigation and is now back on duty.
FOX31 has requested the full, unedited body camera footage.
