Killed suspect and Aurora officer who fired fatal shot during May 23 arrest identified

Police and county officials have identified a man who was shot by an Aurora police officer during a SWAT unit response and arrest attempt on May 23. They have also identified the police officer involved in the shooting.

Medical examiners said the man was Kilyn Lewis, 37, of Denver. He died from injuries sustained in a shooting on May 25, two days after his attempted arrest in Aurora.

Lewis’ friends and family posted condolences on social media and a GoFundMe account has been set up in his name.

The shooting occurred shortly before noon at the Edenbrook condominiums at 384 S. Ironton Street in downtown Aurora.

Police said SWAT units from the Denver and Aurora police departments arrived at the complex early in the morning and prepared to arrest Lewis in connection with a May 5 attempted murder case in Denver.

Aurora police spokesman Matthew Longshore said Aurora police helped make the arrest in a case in Denver.

“The SWAT team was called to assist when the suspect was spotted in a red sedan in Aurora,” Longshore said. “The suspect arrived at the apartment complex just before noon.”

As Lewis got out of his car, SWAT officers from Aurora approached him and attempted to arrest him.

“During the altercation, an Aurora SWAT officer fired his weapon and struck the suspect,” Longshore said.

Officers provided him with medical treatment until emergency responders arrived. Lewis was taken to a nearby hospital and died of his injuries two days later.

Police identified the officer who shot Lewis as Officer Michael Dieck, a 12-year veteran of the police department. Longshore said Dieck had been assigned to the SWAT unit for over eight years.

Dieck was placed on leave, which is standard practice for the police department.

Police have launched a shooting investigation as well as an internal investigation. The 18th Judicial District will be part of a Critical Incident Response Team and will conduct an independent investigation into the shooting.

Police released video Thursday of a May 5 officer-involved shooting in Aurora. In the video, acting police chief Heather Morris provides few details about the shooting, but explains that the video is new protocol for the APD and an attempt to create “transparency and accountability.”

It is unclear whether police will release a similar video focusing on the May 23 shooting involving officers.