Rollin Oliver, the 21-year-old man under investigation for allegedly shooting Denver Police officer Celena Hollis at City Park's jazz concert last week which led to her death, was formally charged with first-degree murder on Monday.
Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey charged Oliver with one count of first-degree murder, extreme indifference.
According to the a press statement from the Denver DA's office, the "extreme indifference" statute states:
Under circumstances evidencing an attitude of universal malice manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life generally; (s)he knowingly engages in conduct which creates a grave risk of death to a person, or persons, other than himself, and thereby causes the death of another.
The charge alleges that Oliver had been involved in a fight at City Park and fired several rounds from a gun into a crowded area just as the free jazz concert in the park was ending.
Hollis had been off-duty, but in uniform, when she was shot in the head June 24. Oliver, whose possible ties to local gangs are still being investigated, was arrested on suspicion of firing the shot that killed Hollis.
Denver Police Chief Robert White has told the media that Oliver gave conflicting statements about the extent of his gang affiliations when he was booked, and stressed that the investigation is still ongoing.
"I am not going to give out information unless I am sure it is right," White said.
Hollis was a single mother, and is survived by her 12-year-old daughter Amyere.
“The death of Officer Hollis was a tragic loss for the City of Denver. But we must emerge out of the shadow of mourning and come together to strengthen our city’s resolve,” Hancock said in a media statement. “We stand here today to ask our community to join us – right here – for City Park Jazz this Sunday. We will honor this wonderful woman, and stand united to send a strong message to our community that we will not condone such crimes.”
Oliver remains in custody at the Denver Detention Center. He is held without bond.