Former deputy convicted of negligent homicide in shooting of man in crisis
- Andrew Buen was convicted in a second trial for the shooting death of Christian Glass, a young man experiencing a mental health crisis.
- The case has drawn national attention and prompted discussions about police training in mental health scenarios, resulting in a significant settlement for Glass's family.
- The conviction underscores the need for law enforcement accountability and improvements in how officers engage with individuals in distress.
In June 2022, Andrew Buen, a former deputy with the Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office in Colorado, shot and killed 22-year-old Christian Glass, who was experiencing a mental health crisis. Glass had called 911 after getting his vehicle stuck on a dirt road and remained inside his car when officers arrived. After several hours of attempts to remove him, during which Glass displayed signs of distress and even made heart shapes with his hands, he was tased and brandished a knife. Buen ultimately fired his weapon, resulting in Glass's death. Following the shooting, the incident garnered significant media attention and raised concerns regarding police responses to mental health crises. The initial trial for Buen ended in a partial hung jury, but a second trial concluded recently with a conviction for criminally negligent homicide. This case has been pivotal in advocating for changes within law enforcement, particularly regarding the training of officers to handle situations involving individuals with mental health issues. The Glass family filed a civil suit against the Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office, which culminated in a $19 million settlement, highlighting the need for accountability in such tragic interactions. The case is part of a broader trend where law enforcement actions are scrutinized, and it underlines the challenges faced by police when encountering individuals in crisis. Sheriff Matthew D. Harris of the Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office expressed a commitment to rebuild trust within the community, stating the office is implementing new policies and training to ensure better outcomes in similar situations. The conviction of Andrew Buen, despite being for a lesser charge than murder, marks a significant moment in the ongoing dialogue about police conduct and accountability in the United States.