In the spring of 2008, a street in Aurora, Colorado, became the final scene in the life of 28-year-old Taurean Shaun Leaks. On the evening of April 19th, a neighbor made a harrowing discovery, finding Leaks lying wounded in the street and promptly calling for help. Investigators would later piece together the moments that led to this tragic outcome. Leaks, a Black male, had been confronted by both a Black male and a Black female in front of a residence on Clinton Street.
The confrontation escalated, and in an attempt to escape his assailants, Taurean Leaks turned to flee. It was then that a shot rang out, striking him in the back. The wound proved to be fatal. Despite the immediate response from law enforcement and the subsequent investigation into his homicide, the case grew cold. The individuals who confronted him that day have never been publicly identified or apprehended, leaving a lingering sense of injustice for those who knew and loved him.
At the time of his death, Leaks was a husband to Leah M. Leaks and a father to their five children: Adonis T., Taurean J., Telaira S., Kaia S.F., and Jasmin L. Leaks. A service to honor his memory was held at the Macedonia Baptist Church in nearby Denver. Years later, his case remains unsolved, a painful open chapter for his family. The Aurora Police Department continues to seek information from the public, hoping that someone will come forward with the key detail that could lead to an arrest and finally bring closure to the family of Taurean Shaun Leaks.
