Aurora police: ‘Gang members have not taken over’ troubled apartment complex

DENVER (KDVR) – Aurora Police Department Interim Chief Heather Morris gave an update late Friday on the situation at The Edge at Lowry apartments and said “gang members have not taken over” the complex.

On Wednesday, FOX31 obtained video at the complex that showed a group of men carrying firearms making their way up a stairwell and gathering around the door of one of the units before entering.

Homeland Security sources confirm Aurora video shows Venezuelan gang members

The video was taken right before a shootout occurred in the parking lot. The story has gained national attention, with Department of Homeland Security sources telling NewsNation that the people in the video were members of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang.

Additional videos showed people allegedly breaking into the apartment complex in July.

Aurora police: ‘Gang members have not taken over this complex’

Aurora Police Department Interim Chief Morris said that officers have been in the area and at the complex to learn more about the situation from residents. She said that the officers have learned there is “definitely a different picture” of what is going on.

“I’m not saying that there’s not gang members that don’t live in this community,” Morris said. “But what we’re learning out here is that gang members have not taken over this complex.”

According to Morris, APD has “really made an effort” over the last few days to ask specific and direct questions about the gang activity in the area and at the complex.

“Making sure that people aren’t paying rent to gang leaders or gang members,” she said.

Morris said residents that they have talked to have said that isn’t the case, and that she believes they are sincere.

Mayor: Aurora seeks court order to clear apartments of gang activity

“We’re standing out here, and I can tell you that gang members have not taken over this complex.”

Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman said on Friday that the city will ask for an emergency court order to clear apartment buildings where he said Venezuelan gang activity has been reported by declaring them a criminal nuisance.

“I strongly believe the best course of action is to shut these [buildings] down and make sure this never happens again,” he said on social media.

While Coffman did not specify any apartment complexes that he believed should be shut down, a photo attached to the post was from an incident at that complex.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.