Kyle Miller, Colo. man, shot and killed by police after family tells 911 his gun was fake

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

AP photo, file

(CBS/AP) BROOMFIELD, Colo. - A 911 tape recorded just before 21-year-old Kyle Miller was shot and killed by Broomfield police shows family members trying to tell the officers that the weapon he was holding was a plastic pellet gun.

Miller was killed June 28 in a northwest Denver suburb after police said he pointed a gun at them, The Associated Press reported. His brother, Alex Miller, is heard on tape asking the dispatcher to tell police the weapon is "not real."

"The officers are trained in this type of thing. They're not going to go around shooting people," the dispatcher responded in the tape.

Alex is then heard telling the dispatcher that his brother was suffering a meltdown. Their mother, Cheryl Miller, reportedly said her son struggled with shizoaffective bipolar disorder and recently lost his job.

Police said they can't comment on the shooting. The officers involved have been placed on routine administrative leave in accordance to standard policy while the investigation is completed.

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by Herne42 July 11, 2012 12:56 AM EDT: i think it is sad so little attention is given to the poor mental heath care of this country.
May that young Mr. Kyle Miller rest in peace.; Reply to this comment


by sleepingcatt July 10, 2012 1:30 PM EDT: The headline: gun was fake. A pellet gun is a not a "fake" gun. It's still a lethal firearm. For starters, just ask David Grant, Keegan Swinney and a 6-year-old girl from Georgia. If you could — they each died from being shot by one.; Reply to this comment


by fiddlestickawshucks July 10, 2012 1:13 PM EDT: While it's very sad that this man was killed when pointing a "fake" gun at the police; the police shouls suffer no consequences as a result of this shooting.

Toy or "fake" guns are very realistic in appearance, and the police don't have time to ask if the gun is real or not.

They were in the same position homeowners and business owners are in when confronted by someone holding a gun.

In the state where I live; if you shoot and kill someone who has broken into your home or appears intent on robbing your business; you have to prove that you feared for your life.

It's almost like you have to ask the person(s) if they plan on killing you before you shoot.

In reality; your system is pumped so full of adrenaline when an incident like this occurs; your brain is sending out the message"Do I run like hell, stay here and get killed or do I defend myself".

My sincerest sympathy to the Miller family on the loss of their son and brother.; Reply to this comment