Police say off-duty detention centre worker fired one round; protester recovering
An incident outside an immigration detention facility in Aurora, Colorado left a demonstrator injured after a single gunshot was fired by an off-duty employee, according to the Aurora Police Department. The GEO Group, which operates the site, said the worker has been placed on unpaid administrative leave as the investigation continues. Authorities emphasized that no federal ICE personnel were involved.
The episode unfolded on Thursday evening as demonstrators gathered outside the GEO-run Aurora ICE Processing Center while employees arrived for their shifts. Police allege that employee Brandon Booth discharged a personal firearm after a verbal dispute between workers and two women who had been photographing vehicles. One of the women was struck and later treated in hospital.
“We’re protesting these people who feel threatened by it,” the demonstrator said, recounting that after turning away to leave, “as soon as I had my back turned, that was when he shot, and it hit my foot.”
Police said the employee drove away from the area but was arrested nearby shortly after. The GEO Group issued a statement acknowledging an off-duty worker’s involvement, adding that it will co‑operate with law enforcement. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, stated: “No ICE personnel were involved in this incident.”
What officials and the operator say
- Aurora Police Department: alleges the worker fired one round toward two women after a confrontation involving photographs of vehicles.
- The GEO Group: confirmed the individual is an off-duty employee, now on unpaid leave; pledged to support the investigation.
- Department of Homeland Security: clarified that ICE staff were not part of the event.
The injured protester said bystanders ultimately came to assist and that she contacted emergency services. She is now recovering following treatment for her injuries.
Key details at a glance
| Date | Thursday evening (local) |
|---|---|
| Location | Aurora ICE Processing Center, Aurora, Colorado, U.S. |
| Person of interest | Brandon Booth (GEO Group employee) |
| Police account | Single shot fired after verbal dispute; one demonstrator struck |
| Status | Employee arrested nearby; placed on unpaid administrative leave |
| Agency statements | GEO: cooperating; DHS: no ICE personnel involved |
Context for Aurora, Ontario readers
This incident occurred in the United States at a facility named for the City of Aurora in Colorado. It is unrelated to Aurora, Ontario, but may draw attention locally to operational protocols at privately run detention sites, the management of protests near workplaces, and how employers handle staff conduct away from duty. The publicly available statements in this case highlight employer cooperation with police and the rapid step of placing the employee on leave while facts are assessed.
Authorities in Colorado have not released further information on potential charges. InfoRadar will monitor updates from the Aurora Police Department and the GEO Group and report new details as they become available.
