WARNING: Discussion of suicide may be distressing for some readers. Discretion is advised.

(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Officers involved in a deadly shooting on the southeast side of Colorado Springs in December 2024 have been cleared of any wrongdoing after the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s (DA) Office released its review of the incident.

33-year-old Dean Ackerman was killed on Dec. 14, 2024 after several officers opened fire following a standoff in a parking lot at the corner of Astrozon and South Academy Boulevards.

The incident began around 9:45 p.m. on Dec. 14 when the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO) received a call from a woman saying her husband, later identified as Ackerman, was suicidal and holding a gun to his head. However, when deputies responded to the home, Ackerman was no longer on the scene. EPSO issued a Be On The Lookout (BOLO) on Ackerman.

Later that evening, shortly after 11 p.m., officers with the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) responded to the 3800 block of Astrozon Boulevard on a report of an active shooter. The caller stated that his cousin worked at a restaurant in the area that was being shot at. When officers arrived, they found Ackerman in a Dodge Ram truck, holding a gun to his head.

According to the report from the 4th Judicial DA’s Office, officers were given information from the BOLO alert but were unaware of the circumstances of the earlier incident that occurred before the BOLO. After initially making contact with Ackerman, Ackerman fired a single shot into the roof of his car, though officers did not fire back.

Officers ordered Ackerman to drop the gun, at which point he started making suicidal statements. Officers began trying to de-escalate the situation and can be heard in previously released body-worn camera (BWC) footage asking Ackerman “please don’t do this” and telling him no one wants to see him hurt. Ackerman fired his gun several more times inside the truck, and officers began evacuating nearby businesses. Officers still did not fire on Ackerman.

Ackerman allegedly escalated the situation by pointing his gun in the direction of multiple officers and alternated to pointing the gun at his own head. At this point, the DA’s Office said approximately 10 officers were positioned in the immediate area and about 15 additional officers were on scene for support and containment.

Shortly before midnight, Ackerman got out of his truck with his gun pointed to his head, before he pointed the gun at officers. Officers used non-lethal methods on Ackerman, including a 40mm impact round and pepper balls, and Ackerman fell to the ground. He kept hold of his gun and eventually fired a shot at officers taking cover behind a patrol car, though they did not return fire.

When Ackerman sat up and fired another round at officers, multiple officers returned fire, hitting Ackerman. Officers approached and rendered aid, but Ackerman was declared dead.

The officers who fired their weapons have been identified as Sergeant Brady Mitts, Officer Daniel Brom, Officer Javin Samiliano, and Officer Nicholas Cassalia.

The DA’s Office reviewed the incident, which confirmed that officers perceived Ackerman as a threat to himself and others, given his statements and his firing of the gun in the truck.

“It was reported over the radio that he had shot into the restaurant here” said CSPD Officer Daniel Brom, one of the officers who fired at Ackerman. “[Ackerman] was highly agitated. You could hear him screaming at one point. Again, he would shoot through the roof. You could see him rocking back and forth, holding the gun to his head and screaming.”

According to the DA’s Office, interviews with all the involved officers showed that they attempted to de-escalate the situation multiple times, both verbally and by using non-lethal methods. They also took care to clear the line of fire so no bystanders would be injured if a shooting ensued, and did not return fire after multiple shots were fired by Ackerman into his truck.

“Those tactics were unsuccessful, and Mr. Ackerman fired his weapon in the direction of several responding officers, which created an imminent threat of being killed or receiving serious bodily injury,” the DA’s Office said. “Only at that point did officers deploy deadly force. Each of the officers involved in the response to this incident performed their duties with the utmost professionalism.”

Given the steps taken by the officers to try and avoid escalation, combined with Ackerman’s behavior leading up to the shooting, the DA’s Office determined that the use of deadly force by the officers was justified. No charges will be filed against any involved officers.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, help is available. Call or text 988 to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline; this service provides 24/7 confidential support for anyone in crisis or emotional distress.