Blaze Balle-Mason Obituary, Death; – The Aurora Police Department is scheduled to conduct a news conference at 3:30 p.m. on Friday regarding the fatal shooting of a teenager by an officer. The teenager, who claimed to be armed and intended to attack a gas station last week, has been identified as 17-year-old Blaze Balle-Mason. According to Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain, officers did not locate any weapon on him following the incident.

On Thursday, September 18, Balle-Mason made a 911 call around 7:30 p.m., asserting that he was armed and intended to shoot at a gas station located at South Havana Street and East Alameda Avenue, as well as at police officers, as stated by Chamberlain last week.

Chamberlain further noted that approximately 10 minutes later, the gas station owner contacted 911, reporting that he had locked himself inside due to suspicious behavior. Officers arrived at the scene equipped with a rifle, a pistol, and a less-lethal device designed to fire rubber projectiles.

One officer discharged between two and four rounds from the less-lethal device, which proved ineffective, according to Chamberlain. Officers instructed Balle-Mason to lie on the ground and display his hands; however, he instead charged around a corner with his hands concealed, as reported by the police chief. Subsequently, one officer fired his pistol, hitting Balle-Mason. He was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The 18th Judicial District’s Critical Incident Response Team is currently investigating the shooting.