A contractor for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Aurora, Colorado, was arrested on Thursday night after allegedly shooting a woman during a protest outside the facility. The incident involved Brandon Booth, an employee of the GEO Group, which operates the detention center. According to a statement from the Aurora Police Department, the woman was injured and taken to the hospital but is expected to survive. Another woman who was with her was not injured.
The police report indicates that Booth and other GEO Group staff were unable to enter the facility due to the protest. Following an argument with the protesters, Booth allegedly fired a shot from a personal firearm, hitting one of the women in the lower body before leaving the scene in his vehicle.
A spokesperson for GEO Group confirmed the incident and stated that Booth has been placed on unpaid administrative leave while the company cooperates with law enforcement. Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain emphasized the importance of a thorough investigation and stated that violence will not be tolerated in the community.
This incident follows previous allegations of violence involving GEO Group employees. In a separate case, an employee at Delaney Hall, another GEO Group-operated immigration detention center, was charged with allegedly striking a protester with his vehicle. Additionally, there have been reports of mistreatment of detainees at Delaney Hall, including claims of physical abuse and denial of medical care.
Concerns have also been raised regarding health conditions at the Aurora facility, particularly following reports of a tuberculosis outbreak among detainees. The Adams County Health Department has stated that GEO Group has obstructed health investigations related to the outbreak, which has reportedly affected at least 12 detainees.