The Denver Police Department released a narrative Tuesday that lays out what happened in the moments before Matthew Dolloff shot and killed Lee John Keltner over the weekend as dueling rallies were wrapping up.
At about 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10, Keltner began walking from Civic Center Park toward the plaza between Denver Central Library and the Denver Art Museum, according to the probable cause statement, which authorities use to justify arrests. While walking, Keltner began arguing with someone as others tried to intervene, according to DPD.
Dolloff joined the fray while Keltner was still arguing. At about 3:36 p.m., Keltner, holding an aerosol can of pepper spray, "turns his attention" to Dolloff and "strikes Mr. Dolloff in the side of the head with an open hand," the narrative states.
"Mr. Dolloff is then observed drawing a handgun from his waistband, aiming at Lee Keltner and shooting once, striking Mr. Keltner, as Mr. Keltner discharges his (oleoresin capsicum) spray," the affidavit states. "Mr. Keltner collapsed to the ground."
Officers arrested Dolloff with a semiautomatic handgun in his hand.
DPD pieced together the narrative using nearby stationary police cameras, known as HALO cameras, cell phone videos, photos and witnesses.
DPD has refused a request to make the security camera footage public.
Dolloff, who was working for Pinkerton, a private security firm hired by 9News, was arrested. He is being held at Denver's jail on suspicion of first-degree murder. In a statement, the TV station said staffers did not know Dolloff had a gun.
"9NEWS contracted with Pinkerton and had directed that security guards accompanying our personnel not be armed," said Mark Cornetta, president and general manager of the TV station. "None of 9NEWS' crew accompanied by Mr. Dolloff on Saturday were aware that he was armed."
