Police fatally shot a Colorado man moments after he killed a naked intruder who attacked his 11-year-old grandson, an attorney representing the slain man’s family said.
According to The Denver Post, attorney Siddhartha Rathod said the suspect who broke into Richard Black’s Aurora home early Monday was nude and tried to drown Black’s grandson in a bathtub. She said the 73-year-old used his 9-mm pistol to shoot and kill the suspect as he attacked his grandson.
In a statement issued Monday, the Aurora Police Department said the 11-year-old was hospitalized for serious but non-life threatening injuries. They’ve declined to publicly identify the suspect killed in Monday’s incident.
The police department said officers arrived at a “chaotic and violent scene,” hearing gunshots moments as they spoke with Black’s wife outside. Rathod said Black was mortally wounded as he stood in his living room. The intruder was found dead on the bathroom floor.
The officer who fired the fatal shot was placed on paid administrative reassignment, according to the newspaper.
“This investigation is extremely complex,” police said. “In order to conduct a comprehensive investigation, we continue to methodically collect evidence, interview witnesses, and review all available recordings, to include the body worn cameras of all involved officers.”
Black reportedly had a conceal carry permit. The family attorney noted that Black earned a Bronze Star, Army Commendation medal, and Purple heart for his exemplary service in Vietnam with the 1st Infantry Division.
“Gary is absolutely the hero who saved his grandson’s life,” Rathod said of Black, according to KMGH. “His death is a tragic incident.”
[Featured Image: Richard Black/KMGH]