Blaze Aleczander Balle-Mason dies in fatal Aurora, Colo. shooting

Blaze Aleczander Balle-Mason dies in fatal Aurora, Colo. shooting

Fatal Aurora, Colo. shooting death of Blaze Aleczander Balle-Mason

Aurora law enforcement officials unveiled the emergency dispatch recording and an officer’s body-worn camera footage from a law enforcement operation that resulted in the death of a 17-year-old male the previous week.

The incident occurred on September 18th at a Conoco fueling station situated in the southern section of Havana Street near Alameda Avenue East.

During a media availability session on Friday, the Aurora Police Chief, Todd Chamberlain, detailed that the event commenced at 7:33 p.m. The individual involved—identified as 17-year-old Blaze Aleczander Balle-Mason—contacted emergency services and informed the dispatcher about possessing a loaded 9mm firearm in his pocket, with intentions to open fire on the gas station and nearby areas. Additionally, he stated his desire to target responding officers.

Three law enforcement officers reached the scene at 7:43 p.m. Preparing for the encounter, they employed a tactical strategy involving one officer equipped with a long-range rifle, another armed with a handgun, and a third utilizing a 40mm non-lethal projectile launcher.

Chief Chamberlain explained that upon approaching, the officers identified themselves and directed the teenager to raise his hands. However, according to the chief, the 17-year-old disregarded these instructions and moved closer to the officers while keeping one hand hidden inside his pocket.

The officer assigned the less-lethal device fired several shots at the young man, but the impact reportedly failed to neutralize the threat.

Subsequently, the officers repositioned themselves around a corner, and the suspect began pursuing them.

As the suspect drew nearer, one officer discharged his weapon, leading to the fatal injury.

Emergency medical professionals were summoned, and initial resuscitation efforts were administered at the location before the victim was transported to a medical facility, where he was confirmed deceased.

Chamberlain noted that the interval between initial contact with the suspect and the first shots fired spanned 15 seconds.

In explaining the decision to use lethal force, the chief cited the absence of a recovered weapon, the suspect’s 911 report indicating a weapon, the ineffectiveness of the non-lethal ammunition, and the suspect’s forward movement toward officers.

“This situation—there’s no way around it—this situation was tragic for everyone involved, and I mean that sincerely, for everybody connected,” said Chamberlain. “It was tragic for the suspect. It was tragic for those present who witnessed it. It was tragic for the city. And it was tragically difficult for the officers who were there.”

The article mentions Denver7’s ongoing inquiries into the shooting, specifically why mental health professionals were not dispatched, despite the threat of violence against officers in the suspect’s 911 call.

Chamberlain countered that mental health teams are not assigned to calls involving active or threatened violence, which defined this incident. He also stated that officers are trained in crisis intervention and suicide prevention tactics, which were applied but apparently insufficient.

The incident transpired only weeks after Aurora police fatally shot Rajon Belt-Stubblefield, an unarmed Black man, during a traffic stop altercation.

Chamberlain emphasized in his remarks that both incidents involved rapidly escalating, life-threatening scenarios where officers prioritized de-escalation and non-lethal options, but the suspects’ actions thwarted these efforts.

Xavier Davis, a community leader with ROYAL mentoring, expressed grief over the loss of two unarmed lives in a short span. He believes such shootings are avoidable and unnecessary.

Davis noted that economic instability is heightening public anxiety, and he advocates for reforms in police training to address community tensions.

The Aurora Police Department is conducting an internal examination, alongside an investigation by the district attorney’s office.