The shooting death of a 22-year-old man in distress, Christian Glass, by former Colorado sheriff’s deputy Andrew Buen has sparked national attention and calls for police reform focused on crisis intervention. Buen was convicted of reckless endangerment but not the more serious charges of second-degree murder and official misconduct. Glass had called 911 for help after his car got stuck in a small mountain community and exhibited signs of a mental health crisis. The defense argued that Buen shot Glass to protect a fellow officer, justifying the shooting.
Another officer involved in Glass’ death previously pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor, while six others have been charged with failing to intervene. District Attorney Heidi McCollum still has the option of pursuing the more serious charges against Buen. Glass’ family attorney expressed the family’s desire for the prosecution to continue, stating that the jury found Buen’s conduct to be criminal and that this conviction is one step closer to justice for Christian. Buen will face another jury for the additional charges if the prosecution proceeds.
Glass had called for help after his SUV became stuck on a dirt road in Silver Plume, exhibiting signs of paranoia, hallucination, and other behaviors suggesting a mental health crisis. Body camera footage showed Glass making heart shapes with his hands and praying as officers attempted to get him out of the vehicle. Prosecutors argued that Buen needlessly escalated the situation by repeatedly commanding Glass to exit the vehicle without legal justification. After failed attempts to remove him using non-lethal force, Buen fired five shots at Glass, resulting in his death.
The defense criticized prosecutors for not considering Glass’ potential behavioral or psychological issues, drug use, or the combination of both as factors in his behavior. Glass’ mother has mentioned that he suffered from depression and recently been diagnosed with ADHD, experiencing a mental health episode during his interaction with the police. Chief Deputy District Attorney Stephen Potts emphasized that Glass was in a crisis, regardless of the cause, and questioned the treatment he received from law enforcement. The trial highlighted the complex issues surrounding police interactions with individuals in mental health crises and the need for improved crisis intervention training for officers.
The outcome of Buen’s trial underscores the challenges in holding law enforcement accountable for excessive use of force, particularly in cases involving mental health crises. The case has raised important questions about the role of police in responding to individuals in distress and the need for reforms to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The decision by District Attorney McCollum on whether to pursue the additional charges against Buen will be closely watched as a potential indicator of the commitment to accountability and justice in cases of police misconduct. Glass’ death serves as a tragic reminder of the consequences of mishandling mental health crises in law enforcement interactions and the importance of addressing these issues in police reform efforts.
