An employee at the Aurora, Colorado, ICE Processing Center has been arrested on suspicion of shooting a protester off-duty on Thursday evening. The Aurora Police Department responded to reports of a shooting around 7:30 p.m., finding two women at the scene. One woman sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to her lower body, while the other was unharmed.
According to the police department, the women had been participating in a protest near the facility that had reportedly blocked employees from entering. The police statement claimed that the women initiated a verbal confrontation and photographed employees' vehicles.
Brandon Booth, a 42-year-old employee of The GEO Group, is accused of using his personal firearm to shoot one of the women before leaving the scene. Officers reportedly stopped Booth in a vehicle a short distance away, seized a gun from the car, and took him into custody. Booth was booked on probable cause for attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault, attempted first-degree assault, felony menacing, and unlawful carrying of a concealed weapon. His bond has been set at $500,000.
An attorney for Booth stated that he had worked at the facility for two and a half years and has a prior conviction for driving under the influence, most recently in 2011. The GEO Group confirmed an off-duty employee's involvement in the shooting and stated the individual has been placed on unpaid administrative leave.
Aurora Chief of Police Todd Chamberlain described the incident as a tragedy and vowed a thorough, transparent investigation, emphasizing that violence is not tolerated and constitutional rights are pivotal. Senator John Hickenlooper condemned the shooting, stating that ICE and its contractors are "completely out of control" and that peaceful protest should not be met with violence. He expressed solidarity with the victim and pledged to continue advocating for accountability.
The Aurora facility has been the site of ongoing protests concerning alleged inhumane conditions and treatment. Recent concerns have also arisen regarding a potential tuberculosis outbreak at the center, prompting calls for investigation from advocates.