Two months after the death of a 31-year-old woman, the officer who shot her is in the clear.
Following an investigation and legal analysis, Boulder County District Attorney, Michael Dougherty, announced yesterday that Sergeant Tyler Farson was justified in using deadly physical force against Ashlyn Renee Brownell.
What happened?
On March 19, the Longmont Police Department responded to a welfare check for Brownell in the area of 1572 E. Third Ave. Brownell’s mother called 911 reporting that Brownell was on the front porch of their home and was suicidal.
After arriving, officers heard a gunshot from inside the home.
Officers called Brownell and told her she’d be arrested for firing her weapon. Brownell responded with suicidal statements.
After Longmont SWAT arrived, Brownell displayed a gun from a window, showing officers it was loaded.
Following lengthy attempts by police to convince Brownell to stand down, Brownell opened the garage, and pointed a handgun at officers.
Brownell was shot twice and killed.
An investigation found that a round fired by Sgt. Farson collided with the red dot optic on Brownell’s handgun before striking her face.
“I want to acknowledge the pain and trauma for everyone impacted by this tragic incident - the loved ones of Ms. Brownell, as well as all the police officers and community members. It is a terrible and sad situation.” Dougherty said.
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