Coroner’s Office IDS man killed by police in November

The Larimer County Coroner’s Office has identified 28-year-old William Hayes as the person shot and killed by a Fort Collins Police Services officer in November.

Hayes, a Fort Collins resident, was killed by multiple gunshot wounds, according to a release from the Coroner’s Office.

At approximately 9:34 p.m. Nov. 16, FCPS received a call regarding a man in the alleyway in the 100 block of West Laurel Street who was allegedly yelling racial slurs, had possibly attacked someone and had a weapon in his hand, according to a previous release from FCPS. Fort Collins Police Dispatch received at least one additional call reporting that the man had a weapon in his hand and while officers were responding to the scene they were updated that the man might have attacked another person with pepper spray.

When an FCPS officer arrived on scene he found Hayes in the alleyway holding pepper spray and an edged weapon, according to the release. The officer gave Hayes multiple commands to drop his weapon but he allegedly did not comply.

The release said Hayes began coming toward the officer, who deployed his Taser but Hayes “was able to continue advancing.” At that point the officer fired his duty weapon several times, hitting Hayes.

Additional FCPS officers arrived on scene and began rendering medical aid, according to the release. He was then transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The 8th Judicial District Court Incident Response Team was activated to investigate the incident following the shooting with the Sheriff’s Office leading said investigation.

Kate Kimble, public information director with the LCSO said there are no investigative updates to share at this time.