AURORA | A GEO Group employee at the Aurora ICE detention facility was arrested Friday in connection with the shooting of a woman involved in a protest outside of the building. 

GEO employee, Brandon Booth, 42, was entering the facility at about 7:30 p.m. Thursday, when the shooting occurred.

“An initial investigation revealed that the women were part of a protest occurring near the Aurora ICE Processing Center earlier that evening,” Aurora police spokesperson Agent Kristopher McDowell said in a statement. “Booth was waiting in his vehicle along Nome Street with other employees due to the protest impeding their ability to gain access to the facility for their work shifts.”

Two women verbally confronted him and took pictures of his car, police reported. 

Police said Booth then allegedly grabbed a personally owned pistol from his car and fired a single shot at the women, hitting one of them. He then drove away before being detained by police. 

Booth faces charges for attempted second-degree murder, first degree assault, attempted first degree assault, felony menacing and unlawful carrying of a concealed weapon, police said.

Police took the woman to a hospital, and her injuries are believed to be non-life-threatening McDowell said.

“This is a tragedy on all fronts, and the Aurora Police Department will investigate this incident with the same commitment to transparency and integrity as we do all shootings,” said Aurora Chief of Police Todd Chamberlain. “We remain committed to ensuring an ethical, thorough, objective, and comprehensive review of this case. Violence of any kind will not be tolerated in Aurora. Constitutional rights are a pivotal part of a just society – violence is not.”

In a statement, GEO Group spokesperson Christopher Ferreira said the company was aware that “an off-duty Aurora ICE Processing Center employee was involved in a shooting incident.”

“This individual has been placed on unpaid administrative leave, and we will fully cooperate with law enforcement,” the statement said.

This case remains under investigation and decisions regarding criminal charges will be made by the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. 

Police are asking anyone with any additional information about this incident, including any footage, to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867). Tipsters may remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.

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