Denver DA clears fed agent in shooting of wanted felon

A federal immigration officer who shot a felon wanted for deportation has been cleared of criminal wrongdoing by Denver’s district attorney.

Rueben Coray, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, fired one shot at Hector SantanaArreola, who pulled a utility knife on Coray and two other ICE agents during a June foot chase.

Denver District Attorney Beth McCann determined that Coray’s decision to shoot was justified under state law, according to her decision letter on the shooting. Coray was within arm’s reach of Santana-Arreola when the knife was brandished and could have been seriously injured if attacked.

“Under these circumstances, Officer Coray made a split-second judgment, and his decision to shoot at Mr. Santana-Arreola in self-defense and in defense of others was not unjustified under Colorado law,” the letter said.

Santana-Arreola, 42, faces two counts of menacing in the case. His next court date is Oct. 30, the district attorney’s office said.

ICE agents had been searching for SantanaArreola in March because he had been deported twice and had two outstanding arrest warrants for failing to appear in court for other cases, the letter said.

Agent Jerimee Joyner had tracked Santana-Arreola to a home in Aurora and had staked out the house in the early hours of June 6. Coray and Agent Bret Talbot came to help Joyner make the arrest, the letter said.

They followed SantanaArreola, who was driving a red Dodge pickup, for 45 minutes before attempting to stop him. Santana-Arreola ran, at one point losing his shoes, and the officers chased him through a west Denver neighborhood.

At the intersection of West Louisiana Avenue and South Inca Street, SantanaArreola opened the knife’s blade and turned to face the officers, the letter said. Coray yelled, “Knife!” and quickly drew his gun and fired one shot. Talbot drew his gun but did not shoot.

The bullet grazed Santana-Arreola’s forehead, and he fell and dropped the knife, the letter said.

“Due to the proximity of Mr. Santana-Arreola to the officers, as well as the suspect’s aggressive actions toward the officers, Officer Coray indicated that he feared for his safety and the safety of Officer Talbot,” the letter said.