Fruita police officers and Mesa County deputies will not face criminal charges for using deadly force in self-defense after they shot an armed man who pointed a gun at them, according to a review of the incident by the Mesa County District Attorney’s Office.
David Martin, 28, was shot in the early mourning hours of July 18 when Fruita police and Mesa County Sheriff deputies responded to a domestic violence call in the 1100 block of East Carolina Avenue, according to a letter explaining the decision written by District Attorney Daniel Rubenstein.
Martin’s girlfriend called 911 and reported that Martin had tried to push her down the stairs. She also told dispatchers that Martin was intoxicated and armed with handgun.
When officers and deputies arrived they encountered Martin who was armed and uncooperative, pointing the handgun at his own head, the letter said.
Officers Logan Hunt and Dylan Moody and deputies Mitchell Meens and Ryan Reasoner, “made repeated attempts to negotiate a peaceful surrender,” according to the letter. After pointing the gun at his own head, Martin pointed it at the cops and all four fired at him.
“The actions of Officers Hunt and Moody, and Deputies Meens and Reasoner fall squarely within both use of deadly force in self-defense or defense of others justification,” said District Attorney Daniel P. Rubinstein in the review.
Martin was shot 17 times, an autopsy found. The Aug. 26 letter was addressed to Charles Rojo, lead detective Grand Junction Police Department.
