On the 23rd of May, Kilyn was walking back to his home when 2 unmarked vehicles pulled up to him and multiple SWAT officers in military gear and assault rifles came out, taking Kilyn by surprise. The officers began shouting commands and Kilyn began to get on his knees putting his hands up saying “I ain’t got nothing”. As he moved his hands up in surrender, his phone in his right hand, Officer Michael Dieck fatally shot Kilyn. The other officers watched Kilyn bleed out, failing to provide any medical intervention. It was very clear that Kilyn was unarmed and what he held in his hand was a phone, but Dieck shot Kilyn regardless. It was murder. 

Year after year, APD continues to brutalize and kill black and brown members of the community. We must stand up, together, against the oppressive nature of the APD. We must demand that Officer Dieck be fired and charged of murder. We must demand that the Aurora City Council provide financial restitution to the Lewis family for the wrongful death of Kilyn. Finally, we must go further and implement a real systemic change of how policing is done in our community. This can be done by enacting a Civilian Police Accountability Council. Elected civilian bodies from the community that have the power to investigate police misconduct, fire and hire police officers, determine budgets and policies, and have subpoena power.

The era of terror from APD must END!