More than two dozen friends, family members and activists rallied outside the Aurora Municipal Center on Monday night, decrying Arapahoe County District Attorney John Kellner’s decision to not press charges against the Aurora Police Department officer who fatally shot Kilyn Lewis.
Lewis’ family found out that Kellner had announced his decision to not charge Aurora Police Department Officer Michael Dieck on Friday through the news media, Lewis’ mother LaRonda Jones said Monday.
“One thing I want the world to know is that just because the outcome came out, that’s not the last result and that’s definitely not the last option,” Jones said, standing in front of the Municipal Center. “We will continue to fight for my son… and we will fight with all power.”
Aurora and Denver police surveilled Lewis for two days before they tried to arrest him on suspicion of attempted murder outside an apartment complex on South Ironton Street on May 23.
Kellner’s decision letter cited Lewis reaching a hand into his back pocket during the encounter as one of the reasons Dieck believed he was in danger of death and therefore legally justified in shooting Lewis.
Investigators later found Lewis was holding a phone and plastic tubes of fruit snacks.
Kellner’s decision was not surprising, organizer Auon’tai Anderson said.
“We expected this outcome because the system has shown us that Black lives truly do not matter,” Anderson said Monday night. “For 144 days this family has waited for answers, and the answer is that the individual responsible for the death of Kilyn Lewis gets to go back to work.”
Jones defended her son’s character at the rally Monday, saying that while everyone has done things they’re not proud of, Lewis was an honorable man.
“Kilyn was not any of those things they made him out to be. If you believe any of that, then shame on you,” she said.
Lewis’ father, Robert Lewis, described his son as loving and kind.
“I’m only one little voice and one little voice only, but I stand for my son and he did not deserve to die like that,” Robert Lewis said.
LaRonda Lewis, mother of Kilyn Lewis, speaks during a community rally in front of the Aurora Municipal Center in Aurora on Oct. 14, 2024. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
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The shooting was “state-sanctioned violence,” Denver Justice Project Executive Director Alexander Landau said at the rally.
“Kellner, you should be ashamed. You are part of the problem. This is a moral issue, right? The district attorney perpetuates this type of violence in the Aurora Police Department,” he said.
Jones asked community members to stand with Lewis’ family and other advocates in calling for change.
“I implore you guys to stand with us and let your voice be heard, not only for Kilyn but for your loved one too,” she said.
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