- A lawsuit alleges that Denver’s SWAT team mistakenly raided the wrong apartment. The family involved is seeking compensation for emotional and mental trauma caused by the incident.
- Despite evidence showing the suspect entering Apt. 307, SWAT officers raided Apt. 306.
- The lawsuit accuses Denver police officers of attempting to cover up the mistake by filing inaccurate reports, portraying the raid as peaceful.
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A lawsuit filed Tuesday, Feb. 25, accuses Denver’s SWAT team of violating the rights of a family during a raid nearly two years ago. The plaintiffs claim that SWAT officers pointed guns at them, detained them and conducted an illegal search after targeting the wrong apartment.
Denver SWAT raids the wrong apartment
In June 2023, the Denver Police Department dispatched SWAT to capture a man wanted for violent crimes, including attempted murder. Detectives tracked the suspect to an apartment complex and identified his entry at Apt. 307. However, court documents reveal that, instead of going to the correct door, SWAT officers mistakenly raided Apt. 306.
Body camera footage from the incident shows Sharon Shelton-Knight, along with her two adult daughters and young grandchildren, inside the apartment when officers arrived.
The officers, guns drawn, allegedly yelled at the family to get out of the apartment and demanded that the suspect surrender.
Lack of communication, possible cover-up
The lawsuit, filed under the Enhanced Law Enforcement Integrity Act, argues that a breakdown in communication led to a constitutional violation. It names 10 Denver police officers involved in the raid, although the department itself is not listed as a defendant.
The plaintiffs allege that reports later filed by the officers misrepresented the events.
One report claims the family was evacuated for their safety, while another fails to acknowledge that their home was searched. Instead, the documents falsely portray the incident as peaceful and lawful.
The plaintiffs assert that the officers ignored obvious signs that they had the wrong apartment, even when the family pointed out the error.
Sharon Shelton-Knight and her daughters told officers they had the wrong address, but were reportedly removed from the home and forced into a police car. They sat in the car for more than an hour without being allowed to leave.
Legal basis for the suit
The plaintiffs are now seeking compensation for the emotional and mental trauma they claim to have suffered due to the unconstitutional raid.
Under Colorado law, police officers no longer have qualified immunity, allowing victims to file lawsuits for violations of their rights.
The lawsuit argues that the officers’ actions deprived the family of their rights protected under both the U.S. and Colorado constitutions. The plaintiffs assert that under the Enhanced Law Enforcement Integrity Act, it is illegal for peace officers to engage in conduct that violates individuals’ rights.
