DENVER – The Office of the Medical Examiner on Wednesday identified the man who was shot and killed by Denver police officers Monday after he allegedly stole a police car.
The office identified the man as Adam Martinez, 36, and said his cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds and his manner of death was homicide.
Police said in a news conference Tuesday that Martinez tried to steal a man’s vehicle near 6th and Santa Fe, then successfully stole an officer’s car as police tried to track him down in relation to the original attempted carjacking call.
After stealing the car, Martinez drove to west Denver, allegedly pointing an officer’s service rifle at officers as they pursued him. Police are investigating whether the rifle was properly secured, though a police spokesperson said it was not loaded.
Eventually, officers used a PIT maneuver to successfully stop Martinez in the squad car near 8th Ave. and Zuni Street. A police spokesperson said Tuesday Martinez pointed the rifle at officers and three of them fired their weapons at him.
The investigation into the police shooting will be done by Aurora police, the Denver District Attorney’s Office and overseen by the office of the independent monitor.
Police are still asking for witnesses to the incident to come forward and call Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP.
