Denver Post

Officer shot woman five times, twice in the back
Coroner found no alcohol or controlled substances
By Sheba R. Wheeler
Denver Post Staff Writer

Wednesday, September 24, 2003 - AURORA - Denise Washington was shot five times, including twice in the back, by an Aurora police officer last month, according to an autopsy report released Tuesday.

Two bullets hit Washington in the back - one in the middle and the other on the left side, according to the Arapahoe County coroner's office. One bullet grazed her scalp, another hit her in her left armpit, and another in the left shoulder. That bullet passed through the shoulder and hit her in the jaw.

Coroner Michael Dobersen also states in the report that compounds found in over-the-counter medications, such as Sudafed and Benadryl, coupled with the absence of Washington's anti-psychotic medication - paroxetine - may have caused the erratic behavior that led relatives to call police the night she was shot.

Dobersen said ephedrine/pseudoephedrine (a decongestant), acetaminophen (a pain reliever), diphenhydramine (an antihistamine) and caffeine were found in "slightly elevated" levels over what would be found in someone taking the medications as prescribed. The levels were not fatal, but could have caused Washington's behavior at the time of her confrontation with the police officer who shot her.

Dobersen refused to answer questions about what caused the gunshot wounds to Washington's back, saying he may be called as a witness if there is a civil suit. The family has hired Denver attorney Walter Gerash.

The district attorney's office has the case and will release a report.

Police officials declined to comment on the coroner's report. The officer involved, John J. Austin, was placed on paid administrative leave.

"The family continues to grieve until justice is served," said Frank Vasquez, Washington's cousin. "Michelle was shot five times. The police should be held accountable."

Austin shot the 30-year-old Washington on Aug. 5. The officer said Washington struck him with a 19-inch-long brass candlestick and had raised her arms to hit him again when he fired.

A relative who called 911 told an operator Washington was "losing her mind" and apparently having some kind of an attack, fighting, dragging all the furniture out of her apartment and throwing things at her father. The relative said he believed she was on medication.

The dispatcher, however, didn't relay that information to the responding officer, according to the 911 tape.

Family members also said officers who responded were told of Washington's medical condition and that she had been off her medication while she waited for the prescription to be refilled. Relatives also said Washington was not holding the candlestick when she was shot.

The autopsy concluded Washington suffered from a bipolar and delusional disorder, based on her clinical history. No alcohol or controlled substances were found.

The shooting came just a month after Denver police fatally shot 15-year-old Paul Childs, a mentally disabled youth, after his sister had called 911 because the boy was threatening his mother with a knife.

Vasquez said police officers should never have been dispatched to Washington's house.

"... They should have sent a trained professional who knew how to deal with a person who has a mental problem," Vasquez said. "The police should never have been there."