No Charges Filed Against Officer in Fatal Shooting of Aurora Man

AURORA, Colorado – The Adams County District Attorney’s Office announced Friday that no charges will be filed against Aurora Police Officer Kevin Rodier, who shot and killed 39-year-old Kory Dillard during a confrontation on October 3, 2024.

The district attorney, Brian Mason, stated the shooting occurred after officers responded to a 911 call regarding a fight between Dillard and another man near East 16th Avenue and Oswego Street. Initial reports described Dillard as armed with what appeared to be an assault rifle.

Mason noted in his decision letter that, despite the tragedy of Dillard’s death, the law necessitates that a reasonable officer’s perspective is taken into account. “The evidence supports a conclusion that Officer Rodier’s use of deadly physical force against Mr. Dillard was reasonable,” Mason stated.

Witnesses reported that Dillard had attempted to steal a car and had threatened another individual with a weapon. When officers arrived at the scene, they ordered Dillard to drop the weapon. Dillard reportedly raised the airsoft gun and pointed it at the officers, prompting Rodier to fire two shots, which struck Dillard.

Dillard was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. His girlfriend, Anna Harris, criticized the police response, arguing that Dillard was struggling with mental health issues and deserved a different approach. She claimed the officers should have recognized that the weapon was not real.

District Attorney Mason acknowledged the complexities of the situation, highlighting that the airsoft gun Dillard possessed lacked the required markings that distinguish toy firearms from real guns. Dillard’s blood alcohol content was reported to be more than four times the legal limit at the time of the shooting.

In the aftermath, Dillard’s family plans to hold a vigil in his honor. Dillard’s actions during the incident and the rapid escalation of the situation are now under scrutiny as the community continues to question the police response and the implications of mental health in such encounters.