2nd Amendment activist and YouTuber Luis Antonio Johnson was shot multiple times by Denver police just minutes after he shot another man during an apparent act of self-defense in downtown Denver.
The incident happened around 2:00 a.m. on May 3, 2026, near the 16th Street Mall. Civilian footage recorded by the 27-year-old man who was shot appears to show him pursuing and threatening Johnson before Johnson opened fire.
Johnson then ran to the vestibule of his nearby apartment building while still holding his handgun. Officers responding to the original gunfire were directed toward him by witnesses who identified him as the shooter.
Police bodycam footage shows officers repeatedly ordering Johnson to drop the gun. As he turned toward them, two officers fired nine rounds combined, striking him multiple times. Some viewers believe the weapon was pointed downward or being lowered when the shots were fired.
Both Johnson and the 27-year-old man survived.
Johnson was initially charged with felony assault, but the serious charge was reportedly reduced after investigators reviewed the civilian footage and circumstances surrounding the first shooting. The Denver District Attorney later determined the officers reasonably believed Johnson posed an immediate threat and cleared them of criminal wrongdoing.
The case shows how quickly a person who may have legally defended himself can still be mistaken for the aggressor when police arrive. After a self-defense shooting, call 911, request medical assistance, clearly describe yourself, stop handling the weapon when it is safe, keep your hands visible and follow every command.
#SelfDefense #SecondAmendment #DenverPolice