AURORA, Colo. — The Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office has identified two men killed in a Tuesday morning shooting in which one of them, wearing body armor, was killed during an exchange of gunfire with Aurora police.
The two men, Esmond Trimble, 42, and Dean Heerdt, 58, both died from gunshot wounds, the statement reads. It’s not clear which man was shot by police. Both deaths were ruled a homicide.
Aurora police responded to a home at 1473 S. Kenton Street around 2 a.m. after a person in the home called 911 to report that a man inside the residence was armed with a firearm and "acting erratically," according to police.
When authorities arrived, police reported hearing gunfire before being confronted with an armed man who began to open fire at arriving officers, according to police. The man was struck when shots were exchanged. No officers were hurt.
Soon after, officers found another man with apparent gunshot wounds lying on the floor in the home.
Both of the men were transported to a local hospital, where they died.
Police have yet to release additional details surrounding the shooting.
Police are asking anyone who might have witnessed this incident to call Randy Hansen with the Aurora Police Department's Major Crimes/Homicide Unit at 303-739-6710.