In the early hours of a July morning in Aurora, Colorado, a scene of chaos and violence erupted inside the home of Richard Gary Black Jr., a 73-year-old male. An intruder, later identified as 26-year-old Dajon Harper, broke into the residence and began a violent assault on Black's 11-year-old grandson. Harper, who was naked, dragged the boy to the bathroom and attempted to strangle and drown him in the bathtub.
Richard Black, a decorated Vietnam War veteran, and his son fought to save
the boy. When their efforts to subdue the attacker failed, Black retrieved his 9mm handgun and shot Harper, killing him. In the midst of this turmoil, Black's wife, Jeanette, had called 911, informing dispatchers of the home invasion and providing a description of her husband.
When Aurora police officers arrived at what they described as a 'very chaotic and violent scene,' they heard gunshots from inside the house. As officers approached the broken front door, they encountered Richard Black, who was armed with the handgun he had just used to protect his family. An officer, later identified as Drew Limbaugh, gave Black commands to drop his weapon. It was later suggested that Black, who had a hearing impairment from his military service, may not have heard the commands. Within seconds of emerging from a hallway into the living room, Black was shot by Officer Limbaugh. He was struck multiple times and died from his injuries.
The officer who shot Black had been involved in another fatal shooting just 34 days prior and had returned to duty about two weeks before this incident. Following an investigation into Black's death, the 17th Judicial District Attorney's Office announced in December 2018 that no criminal charges would be filed against Officer Limbaugh. The district attorney concluded that the evidence did not support a criminal prosecution, stating the officer did not know who Black was and fired when the homeowner did not comply with commands to drop his gun. The officer was placed on a non-enforcement role during the subsequent internal investigation.
