Police Shooting Outside Broomfield Nonprofit Ruled Justified

Colorado DA's Office says officers had no choice but to use lethal force against suicidal man with apparent firearm.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 8:20pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a CO2-powered revolver against a pitch-black background, capturing the dramatic texture and material details of the weapon under harsh, direct lighting to convey a sense of the serious, investigative nature of the incident.The discovery of a non-lethal weapon raises questions about the use of force and the need for better crisis intervention training.Westminster Today

The fatal police shooting of Scott Hansen outside a Broomfield, Colorado nonprofit organization last year has been ruled a justified use of force by the 17th Judicial District Attorney's Office. Hansen, who was experiencing a mental health crisis, raised what appeared to be a firearm at officers after a lengthy negotiation, leading them to open fire and fatally wound him.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the challenges law enforcement faces when responding to situations involving individuals in mental distress, and the difficult decisions officers must make to protect public safety when confronted with apparent threats, even when the outcome is tragic.

The details

According to the decision letter, police were called to the A Precious Child nonprofit on June 5, 2026 after Hansen, who had recently lost his job there, made suicidal statements and indicated he wanted police to kill him. After a lengthy negotiation, Hansen stood up and pointed what appeared to be a firearm at officers, leading three of them to open fire and fatally wound him. The weapon Hansen had was later determined to be a CO2-powered revolver with no distinguishing marks to identify it as non-lethal.

  • Around 9 a.m. on June 5, 2026, a worker from A Precious Child called 911 to report Hansen was threatening self-harm.
  • Around 9:30 a.m., Hansen stood up with a weapon in his hand and continued making suicidal statements.
  • Around 12:48 p.m., Hansen turned toward officers and pointed the weapon at them, leading to the fatal police shooting.

The players

Scott Hansen

A former employee of the A Precious Child nonprofit who was experiencing a mental health crisis and sought to provoke police to kill him.

A Precious Child

A Broomfield, Colorado nonprofit organization where the fatal police shooting took place.

17th Judicial District Attorney's Office

The Colorado district attorney's office that investigated the police shooting and determined the officers' actions were justified.

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The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the need for improved crisis intervention training and resources for law enforcement to de-escalate situations involving individuals in mental distress, and the challenges officers face in making split-second decisions to protect public safety when confronted with apparent threats, even when the outcome is tragic.