Aurora teen killed in shooting with former police officer is identified

The teenage boy killed by gunfire during an exchange with a former area police officer has been identified by his family.

Peyton Blitstein, 17, was shot during a Nov. 24 incident outside of an Aurora home.

The Aurora Police Department sent officers to the 4900 block of South Addison Way around 10:30 p.m. the night before Thanksgiving. The area is close to the intersection of South Gun Club Road and East Belleview Avenue.

Police said that the teen was killed following an exchange of gunfire with a 36-year-old man, a former Greenwood Village police officer. The officer was identified by Denver7 as Adam Holen, an officer since 2016 until a recent resignation at the beginning of November.

Holen was also shot but is expected to survive, police said.

In a doorbell camera video obtained by Denver7, the two parties argued over alleged careless driving through the neighborhood before shots were fired.

An edited version of that video can be viewed at denverpost.com.

A group of teens were going back and forth between parked cars during the confrontation. After shots were fired, Holen appears to briefly leave the scene as two people attempt to aid Blitstein.

A Gofundme set up to help Blitstein’s family with expenses says the 17-yearold was a loving son, nephew and grandson.

“He was an amazing young man, joining the young Marines and the Sea Cadets,” the Gofundme reads.

“His favorite things to do were to watch the Hallmark Channel with his grandmother; he was fascinated by his Osage Nation Heritage and was the ultimate homebody, playing video games upstairs in his robe and slippers. This loss has been devastating to the family, and we only pray that he is at peace, feeling unconditional love.”

No charges have been filed relating to the shooting.