WARNING: Some of the video and audio recordings released by CSPD and details of the incident may be disturbing to some readers. Discretion is advised.
(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) has released footage from officers’ body-worn cameras (BWC) following a deadly officer-involved shooting in Stetson Hills, in which a suicidal man allegedly lunged at officers with a knife.
According to CSPD, officers originally responded just before midnight on Monday, Oct. 7 to a report of a suicidal man cutting himself with a knife in the 5100 block of Prairie Grass Lane, southeast of Tutt and Stetson Hills Boulevards.
When officers arrived, the man, identified as 41-year-old Matthew D. Kemper, was still inside the home as well as the roommate who had called 911. At that point, the roommate called 911 again to report that Kemper had resumed cutting himself.
Officers then entered the home in an attempt to get the roommate out safely and de-escalate the situation with Kemper. The officers announced themselves and told the roommate to come out, and shortly after, Kemper allegedly lunged at the two lead officers. Officer Noah Bartron fired several times, hitting Kemper.
According to CSPD, the BWCs of the involved officer and the officer directly behind him experienced a technical malfunction and did not capture the incident. The malfunction is being investigated by the BWC vendor and CSPD.
The BWC of a supervising officer behind the other two officers captured the shooting and shows Officer Bartron telling Kemper to stop several times before firing at him. The BWC footage also shows officers providing medical aid to Kemper following the shooting.
Kemper was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead from his injuries. A knife was recovered by investigators at the scene.
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO) is investigating the shooting, and once the investigation is complete, it will be sent to the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office for review and determination of whether Officer Bartron’s use of force was justified under Colorado law.
A list of mental health resources in southern Colorado can be found here: Let’s Talk Mental Health: Sponsors, Resources & Forums
The National Suicide Hotline, a prevention network of over 200+ crisis centers, can be reached 24/7 at 988.
