Denver, CO – In a somber conclusion to a high-profile case, former Clear Creek County Sheriff’s deputy Andrew Buen was found guilty of criminally negligent homicide in the tragic incident leading to the death of 22-year-old Christian Glass. After a lengthy deliberation, a Colorado jury delivered the verdict, convicting Buen for the fatal shooting that occurred in June 2022 when Glass, a Boulder resident, was stranded in Silver Plume during his drive back from Utah.
Christian Glass, who had found himself unable to proceed due to his vehicle getting stuck, sought help by calling 911. The response to his call, which involved multiple law enforcement agencies, escalated into a critical situation. Despite Glass’ apparent mental health crisis at the time, officers demanded he exit his vehicle. His refusal led to an intense 70-minute standoff, culminating in the deployment of less-lethal weapons and Buen firing five shots at Glass.
Throughout the trial, prosecution highlighted that Glass, though visibly distressed, posed no danger to himself or others and had not committed any crime. According to Prosecutor Joe Kirwan, the initial approach by law enforcement significantly deviated from what might be expected under the circumstances. “He was stuck and simply couldn’t move on,” Kirwan remarked during the trial, criticizing the lack of basic inquiry about Glass’ well-being or situation by the officers at the scene.
Defense arguments portrayed Glass as a threat when he allegedly attempted to use a knife against then-Georgetown marshal Randy Williams, a claim that led Buen to shoot in defense of the officer. Mallory Revel, Buen’s attorney, defended her client’s decision in her closing argument, asserting that his actions were driven by a perceived immediate danger to another officer.
The aftermath of Glass’ death not only resonated through the community and ignited debates over law enforcement interaction with individuals experiencing mental health issues, but also led to a significant legal settlement. Glass’ family was awarded a $19 million settlement, marking it as the largest known law enforcement settlement in the history of Colorado.
In the wake of this incident and its prolonged legal proceedings, which included charges of reckless endangerment against Buen, the episode prompted broader changes in local law enforcement practices. Reacting to the gravity of the situation, then-Sheriff Rick Albers announced plans for a critical response team before his retirement in August 2023, after more than four decades in the field.
The case had wider repercussions on the involved officers and the local law enforcement infrastructure. Several officers were charged with failure to intervene, and supervising officer Sgt. Kyle Gould, who had overseen the response remotely, pleaded guilty, resulting in the revocation of his peace officer certification. Moreover, the turnover in local police departments led to significant staffing changes and new intergovernmental agreements to stabilize law enforcement services.
As additional court dates loom for other officers involved, the community and Glass’ family continue to grapple with the implications of the tragic event. Scheduled trials for officers Brittany Morrow and Trooper Ryan Bennie are approaching, potentially unlocking further developments in a case that has deeply affected the Clear Creek County community and sparked widespread calls for reforms in how law enforcement handles similar crises.