A Denver jury on Monday found Datwon Armstrong guilty of first-degree assault after he shot at a Denver police officer following a foot chase stemming from a traffic stop on July 2019.
Armstrong, 30, fled from a car on foot after Denver Corporal Ethan Antonson and Officer Art Garcia stopped the car on July 12, 2019, according to a probable cause statement prepared by Denver police. The two officers stopped the car after they ran its plates and found it was wanted in a hit-and-run incident. Armstrong was a passenger in the car.
The officers got the car Armstrong was in to pull over near West Ohio Avenue and North Hazel Street. The police document said Armstrong got out and ran, prompting Antonson to chase after him. Antonson said in the probable cause statement he was about 15 feet away from Armstrong when Armstrong shot at him. The officer saw the muzzle flash from the gun and took cover behind a car, drawing his own gun. But he said he didn't shoot his gun because he couldn't see where Armstrong was after he had shot at him.
The release from the DA's office said Armstrong shot his gun four times. Neither Antonson or Garcia were injured in the incident.
Antonson stopped chasing after Armstrong shot at him and requested backup to look for Armstrong, who was later found under a car parked on a driveway on West Ohio Avenue.
Jurors deliberated for five-and-a-half hours and made their decision late Monday, according to the release.
Armstrong had two felony warrants for escape when he was arrested in July 2019. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 13.
