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Man Fatally Shot by Police Was Waving 'Replica' Gun
The Denver Post via YellowBrix
August 03, 2010
DENVER – A gun brandished by a man who was fatally shot by Denver officers over the weekend was a replica of a real weapon, police spokesman Sonny Jackson said Monday.
Also today, the Denver Office of the Medical Examiner identified the man as 62-year-old Alfred Vigil.
Vigil was shot Sunday just before 3 p.m. in the 4900 block of Morrison Road after officers were called there on a report of a suicidal party, Jackson said.
Police said four officers encountered an armed Vigil, who refused commands to put down his gun and who appeared to raise the weapon at the officers.
Vigil was pronounced dead at Denver Health Medical Center at 3:40 p.m., the coroner’s office said.
Jackson said the gun Vigil carried Sunday closely resembled a .22 caliber handgun.
“He was a really nice person,” said 18-year-old Karla Sainz, who lives a few doors down.
Sainz, who is pregnant, said Vigil always asked about the baby and whether he could help her in anyway.
“We shared meals together,” Sainz said. “We are really going to miss him.”
Arthur Chavez, 71, said he and Vigil were good friends.
Chavez said he heard police yell, “Drop the weapon!”
Chavez didn’t hear what, if anything, Vigil said to officers.
Chavez said Vigil owned a pellet gun but he doesn’t know why Vigil would have armed himself on Sunday.
“He was a friend of mine,” Chavez said. “He was like a son.”
Anonymous
almost 3 years ago
For those who posted the comment, "Good shot"; I hope that a tragedy like this never happens to a family member or someone dear to you. This was a man who was my brother in law for 23 years and in that time he taught me a great deal about being kind to others, patience, honor, and pride. We were not lucky enough to be born on the wealthy side of the tacks but he taught me you can be rich no matter how little one has. I am thankful my life took me to a place where the struggle to just function was lessoned, but always remember the road I traveled. Through a divorce I lost touch with him over the years, but ran into him some months back and he was obviously bogged down with troubles; he looked weary and spent. But that kindness and genuine sincerity within his heart were not touched by whatever struggles he was going through. I pray for his family, the police officers who were forced to make that fatal decision, and the friends who were blessed to have him in their lives.
Whalewatcher
almost 3 years ago
9782 Comments
Maybe some follow-up investigation can reveal why he did this. Just glad no one else was hurt, too !!
jimmy85
almost 3 years ago
38 Comments
Sad story! I don't have too much sympathy for the dead guy though. I almost shot a ten year old, thirty years ago when I was a rookie. He had a little blank pistol. He would run out of his apt, shoot a few caps, run back inside and after responding units left he would do it again. About the fourth time someone spotted him and we were there too. The rest was almost really sad..... Oddly enough it was about this time of the year too.
ssu459
almost 3 years ago
152552 Comments
In reading the story my mind tells me suicide by cop,or the guy was just a dumb ass.
darsavmo
almost 3 years ago
10762 Comments
Sad all the way around...
mkiprotection
almost 3 years ago
2386 Comments
Good shoot............
DDemlong
almost 3 years ago
2240 Comments
Take no chances even with fakes. We dont have time to tell. Especially with these airsoft "replicas" even barring actual gun maker approved logos and markings
Anonymous
almost 3 years ago
good shoot...hope the officers slept well the night after
Irishcop1961
almost 3 years ago
36854 Comments
Bump Robocop33
Robocop33
almost 3 years ago
14344 Comments
Suicide by cop. People like this should at least have the damn guts to do it themselves and leave our brothers out of it.
Jonas
almost 3 years ago
38356 Comments
It's always grieving when people get Officers into situations like this. I'm thankful no Officers were hurt.