 Hello, my name is Matt Clark, and I'm a lieutenant in the Denver Police Department's Major Crimes Division. This critical incident debriefing is intended to provide you with information regarding an officer-involved shooting that occurred at 901 South Irving Street in Southwest Denver on January 1, 2020. You are about to see relevant video footage and learn about other evidence and police procedures related to the case, so you have an understanding of the details of this incident. The use of deadly force by a police officer demands a thorough investigation be completed. The Denver Police Department is committed to ensuring a full and timely investigation of these serious incidents. This allows for a comprehensive examination of the officer's actions to determine compliance with state statutes and department policies. In accordance with legislation passed in 2015, the investigation of police shootings in Denver are conducted by a multi-agency investigative team, made up of members of the Denver and Aurora Police Department homicide units, as well as the Denver District Attorney's Office. All critical incident investigations are actively monitored by the Office of the Independent Monitor. A word of caution, the images and information you are about to see may be disturbing. When a police officer uses force to arrest a suspect or defend against an attack, it can be graphic and difficult to watch. In addition, there may be strong language used by those shown in the video. Viewer discretion is advised. On Wednesday, January 1, 2020, around 12.50 a.m., Denver Police officers responded to a call of an assault with weapons at 901 South Irving Street. The victim was able to leave the residence after the assault and met officers at Mississippi Avenue and South Irving Street. The victim reported that his roommate, who was later identified as Gerardo Antonio Conchas Bustos, had assaulted him with a metal pipe inside the residence. He further advised that Mr. Conchas Bustos threatened him with a knife. The officers observed several injuries on the victim, including a large contusion on his forehead, a bloody nose, and a laceration on his hand. The victim also advised officers he believed there were two other females inside the residence. After completing their initial investigation and obtaining details from the victim, the officers escorted the victim back to the residence to ensure it was safe for him to re-enter and also to check the welfare of the other female residents. Three officers approached the front door and announced their presence in both English and Spanish. After receiving no response, the officers entered the residence and began conducting a protective sweep. A protective sweep is a quick and limited search of a premise that is conducted to protect the safety of police officers and others. Based upon the reports that Mr. Conchas Bustos was in possession of a knife, the officers had their weapons drawn while inside the residence. As the officers searched the house, they continually announced their presence in both English and Spanish. Officer Juan Gamboa and Officer Diego Archuleta completed a search of the kitchen and made their way towards a small mud room that can be accessed from the kitchen. Officer Gamboa was the first to enter the mud room. He stepped down two steps into the room and eliminated the confined room with a light that was mounted on his firearm. This room had three doors in it. One door accessed the kitchen, one open to the exterior north side of the residence, and the other provided access to the attached garage. Unbeknownst to Officer Gamboa, the door that led to the garage also provided access to a basement stairwell. As Officer Gamboa approached the threshold to the door leading to the garage, Mr. Conchas Bustos quickly came up the stairwell and rounded the corner of the doorway into the mud room. Mr. Conchas Bustos had a large knife in his right hand and was charging towards Officer Gamboa in a threatening manner. Based upon the layout of the room and the position of Officer Archuleta, Officer Gamboa was not able to back out of the room. Mr. Conchas Bustos was within five feet of Officer Gamboa when Officer Gamboa fired six rounds from his handgun at him. Officer Gamboa stopped firing his weapon when he recognized Mr. Conchas Bustos no longer posed a deadly threat to him. Officer Archuleta was on the two stairs between the kitchen and mud room floor when he observed Mr. Conchas Bustos advancing towards Officer Gamboa. Fearing for Officer Gamboa's safety, Officer Archuleta discharged one round from his handgun at Mr. Conchas Bustos. Officer Archuleta stopped firing his handgun when he believed Mr. Conchas Bustos was no longer a threat. Officers immediately called for an ambulance and secured Mr. Conchas Bustos. The knife Mr. Conchas Bustos possessed was secured and placed on a vehicle in the garage. Resuscitative efforts were attempted, but Mr. Conchas Bustos was pronounced deceased at the scene. Both officers involved in this incident were uniform patrol officers assigned to District 4, Southwest Denver. A female resident was located in a locked bedroom on the main floor of the residence. She was found to be unharmed. The victim who reported the initial assault was later transported to a local hospital for treatment. None of the officers involved in this incident were injured. Following a police shooting, any officers involved in the incident are separated and assigned to a supervisor once a situation is stabilized. Involved officers remain in the company of the assigned supervisor throughout the initial investigation of the incident. Through this investigation, it was determined that a total of seven rounds were fired by the officers. Investigators recovered a large butcher-style knife with a white handle on the hood of a vehicle in the garage. A toxicology report revealed the presence of alcohol in Mr. Conchas Bustos' system. All officers assigned to uniform patrol duties have been issued body-worn cameras. These devices are generally worn at chest level by patrol officers and are capable of recording both audio and video. Prior to being activated by the officer, the body-worn camera maintains a 30-second video buffer. Once the officer activates the camera, the 30-second buffer video is captured and the camera starts recording both audio and video. It is important to note that a body-worn camera captures a general perspective of what is in the camera's view. However, this footage may or may not be what the officer actually saw or perceived. At times, an officer's movement or hand positioning may inadvertently block the camera's view. Additionally, the camera may not capture light in the same way as an officer's eye. Here are the complete body-camera videos from the two officers involved in this incident. Again, viewer discretion is advised. We've got officers down there now, sir. That's locked. No, it's locked. Make cars, coats, and finish clear of this house. What's up? Make sure your camera's on. I got you. We're gonna be at 901 South Irving. Thought he was shooting at you, man. Hit or anything? I shot one. Okay. All right, buddy. Give us a second. All right. We're gonna help you. No, officers are injured. We just need EMS for one suspect. Clear. No, officers injured. Can you confirm the address for me one more time? The last one sounds like something different. We're gonna be at 901 South Irving Street. Officer Kuril will be right up front. Okay, clear. Make a firm, sir. Myself and 52 Ida. Hey, Kuril. I just want to confirm it. Finish getting that house cleared. Correct. We'll be for the suspect and confirm the address. 901 South Irving, 901 South Irving. Clear. Thank you. Clear. Thank you. Give cars over here. Hey. Clear this basement for us? We're gonna hold it here. Spare with us, man. You're gonna be all right, okay? Give us a minute. CPR, bro. I'm gonna serve, sir. We haven't cleared that. I'm careful of clearing it. Stay with us, man. Stay with us. So, guys, see you soon. The Denver District Attorney will review the details of this incident and determine if the officer's actions were in compliance with Colorado law. After the district attorney renders the decision, the Denver Police Department's Internal Affairs Bureau and Conduct Review Bureau will complete an administrative review of this case. The details of the case will be presented to a use-of-force review board made up of community members and police command officers who will determine whether the officer's actions were in compliance with the high standards expected of every Denver Police Officer related to policies, training, and tactics. For additional information regarding the investigation of critical incidents or the Denver Police Department's use-of-force policies, you may visit denvergov.org. Thank you for taking the time to view this critical incident briefing.