This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
In December 2018, Longmont Officer Michael Kimbley, while on duty and responding to a call of service, discharged his firearm at Jesus Ramos.
The shot fired resulted in a gunshot wound to Ramos' lower-left back. Ramos later died from the wound.
A Boulder County Investigative Team investigated the officer-involved fatality and presented their findings to the Boulder County District Attorney's Office. The Boulder County DA's Office is responsible for "determining whether the shooting was legally justified or not," according to a press release by the Boulder County DA's Office.
After reviewing the case, the DA requested a Grand Jury review to examine the "pertinent facts and conduct additional investigation," states the press release.
The Grand Jury returned a decision of "No True Bill" to the possible charge against Kimbley of Murder in the Second Degree. This decision was based on the circumstances and the applicable affirmation of defenses.
Due to the nature and circumstances involved in the case the Grand Jury released the Grand Jury Report as well as photographs of the scene, the 911 call, dispatch radio traffic audio, body-worn camera footage, cell phone video and surveillance videos to the public.
All the mentioned information can be found here.
District Attorney Michael Dougherty stated, “These investigations are among the most important and serious – for Mr. Ramos, the officers, their family members, and our community. It is vital that we reach the right result. Law enforcement officers have an incredibly difficult job and often must make split-second decisions to keep the community safe. However, due to the impact on human life, the accuracy of those decisions is critical, as is the community’s trust in police officers. Given the circumstances involved in this case, I made the decision to present the investigation to the Grand Jury. I commend the grand jurors for their dedication and hard work over the past several months. Based on the evidence and the rules of law in Colorado, the Grand Jury reached the right conclusions.”
Ramos' family was contacted by the DA prior to the public release of the Grand Jury's findings.
