Man shot by Aurora police had violent history, facing 5 counts of attempted murder

DENVER (KDVR) — A Denver man is facing five counts of attempted murder of a police officer after an incident on Thanksgiving Day that occurred just after 9 p.m. in Aurora.

Arnadin Varupa, 32, was arrested after exchanging gunfire with Aurora police on Thursday night near 920 South Dawson Way in Aurora. No officers were injured, but Varupa was shot in his arm by a police bullet.

Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain held a press conference Monday to share details of what happened that night. He said that the department received several reports of shots fired before officers arrived at the scene.

Varupa was allegedly firing multiple rounds into the air, and later, investigators learned he may have just been in a dispute with his girlfriend, who lives in the apartments.

Once at the apartment complex, they learned that Varupa was firing shots "in and around the apartment complex." At about 9:50 p.m., police located the Varupa near South Sable Boulevard and East Kentucky Drive sitting on a bus stop bench almost across the street from the initial incident and armed with a gun.

Chamberlain said that officers hid behind the apartment building and were discussing possible tactics to safely apprehend Varupa when he saw them. That's when police began communicating with the suspect, informing him they were police officers and ordering him to put up his hands.

"That suspect almost immediately turned on the officers and fired multiple rounds in the officers' directions," Chamberlain said Monday. He pointed out a photograph of an Aurora Police Department cruiser that had officers inside which was pierced with one of the fired rounds.

After the suspect began firing, Chamberlain said, officers returned fire. Gunfire continued between the suspect and multiple officers as Varupa fled on foot until one of the rounds hit his arm. He dropped, Chamberlain said, and did not continue moving, so officers moved in and arrested him without further incident.

Chamberlain encouraged people to consider the officers' safety in this incident, as well as nearby residents' safety.

"I think without question there was a jeopardy there," Chamberlain said. "I think we had a suspect that definitely demonstrated a propensity for violence on that evening, unprovoked even by anybody even around him."

Chamberlain pointed to Varupa's "immediate willingness to engage law enforcement unprovoked" as partial reasoning for why officers returned fire, as well as repeated vocal requests for the suspect to stop firing, drop his weapon and hold up his hands.

"When you look at this weapon that this suspect had, again this is a weapon that has an extended magazine," Chamberlain explained, later noting the magazine had a 30-round capacity. "We're lucky no one was hurt in this incident. We're lucky no one was killed in this incident."

Chamberlain did not know if any of the nearby, "dense" apartment buildings were struck by gunfire, but said several vehicles parked on the street were hit.

Chamberlain also said that Varupa had a history of violent crime, including attempted homicide and robbery. He has also been incarcerated for crimes previously and had "just come off" parole.

Six officers were placed on paid administrative leave after the shooting. The Aurora Police Department will conduct an internal review of the shooting to ensure no laws or policies were broken by officers. The 18th Judicial District Critical Incident Team is investigating as well, and will determine if charges will be filed against the officers.

Varupa is scheduled to appear for a return filing of charges hearing on Dec. 5.