Aurora, Colo. — The Aurora Police Department provided an update on the Thanksgiving Day shooting, revealing that officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect, injuring him in the process. The suspect, identified as 32-year-old Arnadin Varupa from Denver, was arrested on suspicion of five counts of attempted murder of a police officer.
The incident began just before 9:30 p.m. on Thursday when officers responded to reports of gunfire at an apartment complex located in the 900 block of South Dawson Way. Witnesses stated that a man had been firing a gun in the parking lot. After speaking with several individuals, officers located a suspect matching the description near a bus bench at South Sable Boulevard and East Kentucky Drive about 20 minutes later.
According to the Aurora Police Department’s release, officers ordered the suspect to drop his weapon multiple times, but Varupa refused and instead fired numerous rounds at the officers. Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain confirmed that officers had discussed the use of de-escalation tactics and less lethal force before the situation escalated to gunfire.
Six officers returned fire, striking Varupa at least once. Thankfully, no officers were injured, although police vehicles were damaged by gunfire. Varupa was transported to the hospital with serious injuries, including a gunshot wound to the arm.
Chamberlain expressed relief that no one was killed in the exchange. “We’re lucky that no one was hurt on this incident,” he stated. “We’re lucky no one was killed on this incident.”
The six officers involved in the shooting have been placed on paid administrative leave, as per standard protocol. The Aurora Police Department’s Major Crime Homicide Unit is investigating the original shots fired at the apartment complex, which appears to have stemmed from a domestic dispute between Varupa and his girlfriend.
The weapon used by Varupa was an extended magazine firearm capable of holding 30 rounds of ammunition. Chief Chamberlain noted that the potential for harm during the incident was “incredibly high.”
Both the 18th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team and the Aurora Police Department are conducting investigations to review whether the officers’ actions complied with state law and department policies and training.
