Childs was killed by Denver police Saturday.

Activists say investigation into teen's shooting death shouldn't be left to police

By John C. Ensslin And Sarah Huntley, Rocky Mountain News
July 7, 2003

Community activists are calling for an independent investigation into the shooting of a 15-year-old developmentally disabled boy killed by Denver police Saturday.

Alvertis Simmons, who organized the local Million Man March, and others gathered Sunday afternoon on the front lawn of Paul Childs' northeast Denver home in the 5000 block of East Thrill Place to issue their call.

Simmons said later that residents do not trust the investigations conducted by police and the Denver District Attorney's Office, which is responsible for determining whether the officers violated any laws.

"Denver police cannot police themselves," Simmons said. "Our black community doesn't believe in the police. . . . The only remedy they know is to kill us. That juvenile should not be dead right now."

The group also called on police to revisit policies for handling knife-wielding suspects and those with mental disabilities.

Childs, who attended East High School, was shot to death at about 1:10 p.m. Saturday after patrol officers responded to a report that the boy was threatening his mother, Helen Childs, with a knife.

Police have said an officer opened fire when Paul Childs came to the door with the knife and refused to drop it. Paramedics rushed the youngster to Denver Health Medical Center, where he died a few hours later.

Under Colorado law, police are allowed to use deadly force if someone poses an imminent threat to them or others. Officers are trained to shoot for parts of the body that will most quickly - and assuredly - stop the threat.

Traditionally, the district attorney has upheld the use of deadly force when an officer is confronted in close proximity by a suspect with a knife. Close proximity is usually defined as 21 feet.

On Sunday, Denver police spokesman John White said the department would have no comment on the shooting or the call for an independent investigation. White also declined to identify the officer involved, but said additional information might be released today.

Meanwhile, those who knew Childs remembered him as a mentally challenged child who often wandered the neighborhood.

"He came into this world with special needs," said Wes Cauley, who stopped by Childs' home Sunday to drop off some freshly picked flowers from his garden. "My heart just dropped. . . . He was just a fixture in the neighborhood. He was no problem to anybody."

Mark Perlmutter, a teacher's aide at East High School, first met Childs when the boy was attending Smiley Middle School four years ago. The teen, who had a number of developmental and learning disabilities, also suffered from seizures.

"He was a piece of work," Perlmutter said. "He couldn't sit still for a moment. We had to stay on him all the time. . . . But in the last year at middle school, he was a changed young person."

Perlmutter said Childs, whom he characterized as outgoing and popular, had learned to focus better. The teen sometimes "shut down" and had problems following directions, according to the teacher's aide.

"He wouldn't respond to anything," Perlmutter said. "\[But\] he's not a kid to get upset or get violent. . . . He wouldn't hurt a fly."

Some questioned why police did not use less-lethal alternatives.

"They could have sprayed him with Mace or shot him in the leg," said Childs' neighbor Annette Grant.

Childs' mother has said an officer called for backup, specifically requesting a Taser gun, which fires two electric probes up to a range of 21 feet. The probes are attached to batteries that deliver a five-second shock of 50,000 volts, incapacitating suspects.

Denver police are working on equipping all officers with Tasers, although department officials say it is up to an individual officer to determine whether the weapon is appropriate.

Simmons said Sunday that he wanted more information about why the officer decided to shoot instead of waiting.

"The next thing, from my understanding, shots rang out. What happened in between asking for the Taser gun and the 9 mm bullets ringing out?" he asked.

Childs was familiar with police because they frequently helped him find his way home, said Laura Gilyard, who has lived in the neighborhood for 45 years.

"He seemed friendly," Gilyard said. "You'd see him outside and wave, and he'd wave back. I just don't feel like he was a threat to anybody. I feel like it could have been settled in a different way."

Friends, family and community members are organizing a candlelight vigil for 7:30 p.m. Thursday starting in front of Childs' home and ending at nearby Skyland Park.

huntleys@RockyMountainNews.com or (303) 892-5212

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