DENVER — Misdemeanor charges have been dismissed against two law enforcement officers in Colorado involved in the tragic shooting of 22-year-old Christian Glass, who was experiencing a mental health crisis in 2022.
The officers, Christa Lloyd and Mary Harris, part of the state’s gaming division, were among six law enforcement personnel charged last year for failing to take action against former sheriff’s Deputy Andrew Buen, who fatally shot Glass following a prolonged standoff in a remote mountain area.
A recent ruling from a judge determined that the gaming officers did not fall under the jurisdiction of the law banning peace officers, such as police and state troopers, from neglecting to intervene when another officer employs excessive force. This legislation was enacted by state lawmakers in 2020 in response to the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, aiming to address police accountability.
Andrew Buen was found guilty of reckless endangerment in the shooting death of Glass earlier this year, a case that gained widespread media attention and intensified demands for police reform focused on enhancing crisis intervention practices. In that trial, jurors were unable to arrive at a unanimous decision regarding more severe accusations, including second-degree murder and official misconduct. Buen is slated for a retrial on these charges in February.
In connection with Glass’s death, another officer who faced charges of criminally negligent homicide and reckless endangerment ultimately accepted a plea deal for failing to intervene in the situation.
The parents of Christian Glass, Sally and Simon, have advocated tirelessly for accountability regarding the actions of the officers present at the scene. They successfully negotiated a $19 million settlement with various agencies that responded to the incident. As part of this agreement, significant policy changes were implemented, including the introduction of crisis intervention training for Colorado law enforcement personnel tasked with responding to individuals in distress.