Man Shot Dead By Denver PD Was Holding Fake Handgun

DENVER --

A man shot to death by officers after he allegedly charged at them with a weapon was holding a replica handgun, police said Thursday.

Officers were called to a home at 4503 Fillmore Street at 1:22 a.m. Thursday to investigate a reported assault. The officers were talking to a man who appeared to have been assaulted when another man came at them, police said.

"The suspect charged at the officers holding what appeared to be a handgun," said Denver police spokesman Sonny Jackson. "The officers fired at the suspect, striking him multiple times. (He) was transported to Denver Health Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead."

The man apparently planned the confrontation.

"During the investigation it was learned the suspect had stated earlier in the evening he was going to get in a shootout with police," Jackson said.

The coroner identified the man as 25-year-old Hector Esparza. He was pronounced dead at 2:54 a.m.

The shooting is under investigation by the police department and the Denver District Attorney's Office. Police said independent police monitor Richard Rosenthal is actively monitoring the investigation.