Aurora Officer’s Shooting of Rajon Belt-Stubblefield Sparks Community Outcry

According to video captured by bystanders and statements from the Aurora Police Department, an officer fatally shot Rajon Belt-Stubblefield at approximately 7:30 p.m. near the intersection of 6th Avenue and Billings Street in Aurora. The APD officer shot Rajon Belt-Stubblefield following a traffic stop.

Content warning graphic violence

Video captured by bystanders shows Belt-Stubblefield exiting his vehicle and approaching the officer. Witnesses state that Belt-Stubblefield was directed to exit his vehicle by the APD officer. As he turned his head, appearing to point toward the accident, the officer punched him in the back of the head. Belt-Stubblefield moved toward the officer and raised his fists. The officer then fired multiple rounds, dropping Belt-Stubblefield to the ground. Witnesses say no medical aid was given for an extended period, while the officer was quickly driven away from the scene.

MiDian Shofner, CEO of The Epitome of Black Excellence, and founder of 8PM Consulting for Humanity, was rear-ended in the police chase leading up to the shooting. Shofner immediately started livestreaming the situation. 

“[The Officer] shot this man unarmed,” Shofner said on Facebook Live. “ A less lethal option was an option. This is not ok. And where did they take the officer? They just literally put him in a car and sped off.” 

Shofner also noted that Belt-Stubblefield’s young son was in the car during the shooting.

Many commenters on the livestream tried to piece together what they had seen.

“APD was pursuing a car and APD rear-ended MiDian and other drivers,” commented viewer Kenbe Fo. “I am worried about MiDian and if she is okay after this incident, and of course the man who was shot—no word on if he survived. No aid was immediately rendered to him, as MiDian has said. Belt-Stubblefield was later pronounced dead following the APD shooting.

Members of the community argue that this comes at a time where APD have established a substantial reputation for violence against people of color, such as Elijah McClain and Kilyn Lewis to name a few. 

Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain told reporters that the officer believed there was a gun on the ground, and that Belt-Stubblefield approached the weapon. Multiple witnesses and those who reviewed the videos dispute that claim, saying Belt-Stubblefield was unarmed.

The Aurora Police Department later posted that “additional officers responded to assist and [provide] first aid until medical personnel arrived. The involved officer has been placed on paid administrative leave in accordance with department policy.”

Candlelight Vigil for Rajon Belt-Stubblefield courtesy of Jeff Fard

Last night, many residents, community members, and activists attended a candlelight vigil in honor of Belt-Stubblefield’s memory. Grief hung heavy as speakers shared memories and voiced anger toward Aurora police and city leaders.

Yellow Scene Magazine has submitted two requests to the Aurora Police Department for the official police report, and the body-cam footage. 

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