Overview

• Rashaud Johnson’s family filed a wrongful-death suit in Adams County District Court on Aug. 5 against Officer Brandon Mills and the Aurora Police Department.
• Body-worn camera footage shows a 45-second struggle followed by Mills firing twice at the unarmed 32-year-old as he walked toward the officer with his hands at his sides.
• The complaint contends Mills held the wounded Johnson at gunpoint for more than five minutes without providing aid.
• Officer Mills remains on paid administrative leave while the Aurora Police Department reviews the case and District Attorney Brian Mason considers possible criminal charges.
• The lawsuit raises broader questions about police responses to mental health crises and compliance with earlier use-of-force and training reforms.