District Attorney Charges Officers In Elk Shooting

Boulder, CO – Two police officers that were involved in the shooting of an elk on New Year’s Day have been charged with the unlawful taking of an elk and misconduct.

The district attorney handed down these charges last week, which resulted in a warrant for the officers arrest. According to KDVR, both Bren Curnow and Sam Carter turned themselves in on Friday afternoon. The men were later released on a $20,000 bond.

In addition to facing time behind bars, the officers could lose their official police certification if they are found guilty of the crimes.

Boulder Police Chief Mark Beckner said that holding the men responsible in the elk shooting was the “right thing to do.”

He said in a statement:

“We realize that this case has hit a sensitive nerve in the Boulder community, and I want to reassure our community that I understand their concerns and that I intend to hold these officers accountable for their actions.

“In his judgment, he believed the elk needed to be humanely euthanized,” the release said. “The officer dispatched the elk with one shot from his shotgun and called another off-duty officer to come pick up the elk carcass.”

ABC News reports that both officers are currently facing several felonies in addition to the misdemeanor charges filed against them. The website explains that Curnow and Carter are being charged with attempting to influence a public servant, tampering with evidence, and forgery.

For his role in disposing of the carcass, Curnow has been placed on unpaid administrative leave. Both individuals are now involved in an internal investigation to determine if they broke any rules or policies during the incident.

The Inquisitr previously reported that a vigil for the slain animal was held by residents of Boulder who were outraged by the shooting. Jim Riemersma, who organized the vigil, said he hoped it would help give people closure.

He explained:

“I know a lot of us have had a lot of anger, a lot of questions, a lot of uncertainty. Tonight’s a celebration, a celebration of the elk. We loved him. But I think he loved us, too, because he returned to this neighborhood.”

Do you agree that charges should be filed against the officers involved in the elk shooting?