Colorado Officer Who Fatally Shot Good Samaritan Will Not Be Charged

According to the district attorney, the Arvada, Colorado police officer who shot and killed a “good samaritan” who stopped an active shooter in June will not face any criminal charges. 

Johnny Hurley, 40, was mistaken for the gunman by officers arriving at the scene. They saw him standing with the suspect’s AR-style rifle and his own handgun. The officer who fatally shot him will not face any charges related to the shooting. 

“The officer here had objectively reasonable grounds to believe and did believe that he and other people were in imminent danger of being killed that day,” said First Judicial District Attorney Alexis King said. 

Authorities were called to the area of the shooting on June 21 for reports that an officer had been shot. Officer Gordon Beesley was shot and killed by Ronald Troyke, 59, who reportedly “hated” law enforcement.

Hurley heard the gunfire from a nearby store and shot and killed the suspect. An arriving officer mistook the good samaritan for the gunman, firing three shots at him. 

King said he “acted like a hero” during the press conference. 

Hurley’s mother said in a statement, in part, “I imagine that many people are angry, and that is understandable. I would ask that instead of acting out on your anger, that you use that energy to be the change you wish to see in the world.”

The officer who fatally shot Hurley has been on paid leave since the incident. At this time, he remains unsure if he will return to work.