Man Shot By Longmont Police Accused Of Sexual Assault

LONGMONT, CO - A man shot and killed by Longmont Police officers Thursday night at the Village at the Peaks mall has been identified as Gillie Thurby. Longmont Police officers attempted to subdue Thurby with a taser in the fire pit near Regal Cinema at around 9:45 p.m. but shot him when he pulled a firearm from his waistband, according to a press release from the Longmont Police Department

Two officers fired multiple rounds, striking Thurby, who died at the scene. There were several witnesses and bystanders, but no one else was injured.

Charges against Thurby include a warrant for a failure to appear out of Boulder County, sexual assault on a child, aggravated incest, sexual exploitation of a child by having more than 20 videos on a cell phone, sexual exploitation of a child by having more than 20 videos on a tablet, and violation of bond conditions. Police report that he attempted to purchase a firearm from a pawnshop in Loveland on September 11 of this year, but was denied due to his criminal history.

The Longmont Police Department and the Boulder County Investigations Team are continuing to investigate the incident, including the origins of the firearm Thurby had at the time of his attempted arrest. Per Longmont Police Department policy, the officers who fired their weapons have been place on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. The names of those officers are currently being withheld due to implied threats by associates, and officials will make a decision on the timing for the release of that information as appropriate.

Any witnesses who may have seen this incident are asked to call Detective Sergeant Matt Cage of the Longmont Police Department at (303) 651-8520.

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Image courtesy Longmont Police Department