Two Englewood police officers who shot and killed a man after the suspect seriously injured one of the officers by dragging him from a stolen car were justified in their use of deadly force, according to a review of the shooting.
On May 18, Caleb Grisenti, 22, attempted to flee police in a vehicle when he pinned two officers against a garage wall and dragged Officer Stephen Creaghe, according to a review letter by the Arapahoe County District Attorney’s Office forwarded to Englewood Police Chief Sam Watson.
Police had responded at about 10:20 a.m. to 1401 E. Girard Ave., where they encountered Grisenti and a woman sleeping in the vehicle, which was parked with the engine running, the review said.
When officers woke Grisenti, he “resisted apprehension” and drove, dragging Creaghe, who fired one shot and hit Grisenti, the review letter said. Sgt. David LeClair fired his handgun four times, through the rear window of the car, hitting Grisenti three times.
During the incident, Creaghe ordered Grisenti to get out of the car and attempted to pull him from the driver’s seat. As Grisenti drove off and Creaghe was being dragged, “Creaghe was able to place the muzzle of his handgun to Mr. Grisenti’s chest and fire one round,” the review said.
The car crashed and Grisenti was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Two officers pinned by the car had minor injuries. The woman was not injured. Creaghe suffered injuries to his knees, pelvis and internal organs.
The officers who responded did not block the vehicle into the covered parking space because the engine was running, the review said.
“Applying the law to the facts of this incident … I conclude that Officer Creaghe and Sergeant LeClair were legally justified in using lethal force,” said the review, signed by Chief Deputy District Attorney Clinton McKinzie, on Aug. 9. “Their use of force was reasonable, necessary and appropriate in order for the officers to defend themselves and others from the threat posed.
“Mr. Grisenti, by his actions, was willing to injure or kill officers and bystanders in order to escape arrest, and was attempting to do so. Mr. Grisenti’s actions were the proximate cause for the immediate use (of) necessary force. He used the stolen car as a deadly weapon and injured officers.”
Both officers fired based on an imminent, deadly threat Grisenti posed to police on the scene and to bystanders in the apartment complex, including a nearby pedestrian and workers, the review said. “Criminal charges will not be filed against them.”
