A Thornton Police Department officer will not be criminally charged for shooting a man who was threatening people in a crowded recreation center parking lot last May.

The 17th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team found that Terrell Watson was not only justified in the death of Brandon Martinez, but that Watson was “courageous and heroic, as well.” The shooting occurred the morning of May 14 when Thornton police were attempting to stop Martinez as he drove into oncoming traffic at 112th Street and Colorado Boulevard, according to the police report. 

There were varying reports as to whether Martinez, 26, had a gun. Martinez’s mother told 9News that Martinez’s girlfriend, who was in the car with him, said that he had a black walkie talkie but no gun.

However, several witnesses said they not only saw Martinez with a gun, but heard Watson’s order Martinez to drop it. They all reported that Martinez fired first, but that it was close.

One woman, according to the 911 call, told dispatch that she was in the parking lot of Margaret W. Carpenter Recreation Center at 11151 Colorado Boulevard, when “a guy came up to my window and asked me to let him in my truck and give him a ride and I said I couldn’t. I was scared.”

The woman said that Martinez pulled a gun, started hitting her window with it and gave up after she drove away. Martinez frantically approached other vehicles for their cars, even telling one man that his wife was having a baby and he needed gas, according to the decision letter from District Attorney Brian Mason.

Surveillance video provided by the CIRT showed Watson drive into the recreation center parking lot on a motorcycle, just as Martinez was weaving on foot between cars. Watson dropped his motorcycle and ran toward Martinez with his gun drawn.

Watson ordered Martinez to get down, but Martinez started firing, according to the decision letter. The gun battle occurred between two vehicles parked side-by-side.

The CIRT report noted that, as Watson took cover, glass was hitting him in the face “as Brandon Martinez continued firing” in his direction. After a foot chase into a nearby park, said during his CIRT interview, Martinez turned his gun sideways from 20 feet away and he “100 per cent thought he was going to shoot me.”

The gun fight was over in less than five minutes. No bystanders were injured.

The coroner found cannabis and methamphetamine in Martinez’ system.

In the parking lot and surrounding area, crime scene investigators identified 13 9mm shell casings from Watson’s weapon and eight 9mm shell casings from Martinez’s handgun.

Watson had been with the Thornton Police Department for two years when the shooting occurred.

Martinez had been in and out of jail for the past seven years for charges that included assault and theft.