DENVER—Again, a shooting in January was said to have been carried out by two men who were identified by the Aurora police. The chase by car of the suspects ended in a crash at the junction of Pena Boulevard and Green Valley Ranch Boulevard. Gerson Edgardo Santana, 25, was charged along with Andres Felipe Garcia Jimenez, 31, with discharging a firearm, attempted first-degree assault, and resisting arrest.
This incident on January 29 resulted in Peña Boulevard being temporarily blocked off to traffic heading west. The police said the suspects were already wanted and served active warrants before the chase started, one of which contained a weapons charge.
Gunfire Before The Chase
The Aurora Police Department reports the following statement: “A patrol officer had witnessed two vehicles exchanging gunfire, one of which was attempted to be apprehended by the officer on patrol,” said the Aurora Police Department (APD). This led to a high-speed police pursuit throughout the entire Denver metropolitan area.
The pursuit ended in a crash at the intersection between Peña Boulevard and Green Valley Ranch Boulevard. The second participant of the incident who was not in the chase reported to the local emergency unit for treatment. Luckily, their injuries were not critical. According to authorities, there were no deaths or gunshot sentences from this incident.
Body Camera Footage Released
The police in Aurora disclosed details of a previously covered chase on February 5 by releasing some portions of the body-worn camera footage. The footage includes pursuing officers, the scene of the crash, and the moment suspects were arrested by the officers.
The police have not confirmed which of the two men was driving the vehicle, but they have confirmed identifying both Santana and Garcia-Jimenez. The police did confirm that the driver had a warrant out for their arrest relating to weapons charges.
Court Proceedings and Charges
Garcia-Jimenez is scheduled to appear for her arraignment on February 24 in Arapahoe County. Santana’s court records have not been found since Monday evening on February 5.
All suspects now face multiple felony charges, including but not limited to:
- Attempted first-degree assault
- Unlawful discharge of a firearm
- Vehicular eluding
Among other items, the police found a pistol and another firearm in the suspect’s vehicle during the preliminary investigation. Further information regarding potential additional charges has yet to be disclosed.
Increased Concerns Over Public Safety
There have been growing concerns relating to gun violence as well as the use of high-speed chases in heavily populated areas, which puts many people in danger.
Both Peña Boulevard and Green Valley Ranch Boulevard form a key traffic intersection; thus, the chase and crash both severely hinder traffic flow.
The Aurora police department has also stated that they remain highly cognizant in resolving violent crime and protecting the safety of the citizens. This is a case still under investigation, and the police have proactively requested that any member of the population who has further information please come forward.
While Santana and Garcia-Jimenez were arrested, they were also released shortly because police are still trying to find and arrest other people who have been found guilty of other violent crimes. The injuries from the incident were mostly superficial; however, the degree of violence displayed during the chase along with the use of guns remains deeply worrying to the police.
What’s Next?
As the case goes on, more information is likely to be given about the criminal records of the suspects alongside the charges they are interested in and the other components of it. The next set of proceedings will take place in court, where the judge has to decide how to approach the defendants and whether there will be any punishment if the charges are proven true.
Moving on, citizens from the Denver-Aurora metropolitan region have been demanding firmer action in dealing with gun control and more unrestrictive approaches towards police work that would keep bystanders safe from out-of-control car pursuits.
This is still an evolving investigation, and there are plans to whistle further into the facts as they come. If anyone has more context to add, they should contact the Aurora Police or the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers.
