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Aurora Police officers shot and killed Kory Dillard, who had gotten into a fight and had a weapon that turned out to be an air tactical rifle.
AURORA, Colo. — On Saturday, people gathered to remember Kory Dillard during a candlelight vigil outside Aurora Police Department headquarters.
Dillard’s father, Kim, told 9NEWS he spoke with his son just days before police shot and killed him.
“I talked to Kory three days before this incident happened and he explained to me…he said Dad I’m going through some things but everything is going to be okay,” said Kim Dillard.
On Oct. 3, Aurora police shot and killed Dillard after officers first responded to a report of a fight in a parking lot.
They said they received multiple reports of two men fighting and at least one person with an AR-style rifle.
Aurora Police said when Dillard was confronted carrying what appeared to be a deadly weapon, investigators said he pointed at officers what would later be deemed an air rifle.
On Saturday Dillard’s partner, Anna Harris, said they want to see better police training.
“Why did you come escalating the situation instead of de-escalating the situation?” said Harris.
Erica Dillard, Kory Dillard’s younger sister, was at the vigil and showed 9NEWS a picture of her brother hiking.
“This was his way out, the outdoors, flying his drone. I really feel like he was having a mental health crisis. I really do,” said Erica Dillard.
Aurora Police have said officers had seconds to decide based on the threat they perceived with the previous information from callers.
Investigators said they don’t believe Dillard fired his weapon at any point but said there was a sense of urgency because there were children in the area.
“Officers, I believe they have to do a job but sometimes if they are not trained properly and well educated in people’s lives and then letting them know that they are human beings, don’t just go out there and just shoot,” said Kim Dillard.
On Saturday, the hope for many was the vigil would open the door for better veteran services.
“It’s waitlist here, it’s waitlist there. Mental health cannot wait,” said Erica Dillard.
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