Why did Chris Hinz die? Ask APD

Subject: Killing of Chris Hinz

Date: Tue, 15 Jun 2010 21:06:40 -0600Dear Sirs:

We the family and friends of Chris Hinz would like to have some issues explained to us as we have questions as to how things were handled.

We understand that you are unaware of the things that happened prior to his death: he visited with a neighbor about 5:30 or so before going home around 6pm, he was intoxicated, and he asked his neighbors for assistance to find his cell phone shortly after going home. His cell phone was not found until Saturday but he has a landline that is listed on the Internet under the White Pages, Chris Hinz. What all of us don't know is why Chris was drinking, and why he was shooting his gun in his home. What most of us know is the police showed up around 7pm, surrounded the area from Spain to Camero on Carruthers, prevented people from going in or out, and Chris was shot around 8:45pm because he came out of his garage holding a rifle he did not put down because the police feared for their lives (this is what was reported). The stories have come out that are incorrect are that he was running around the neighborhood shooting his gun; or that he had an altercation with a neighbor. What we are disturbed about (we were present on the Camero and Overlook corner) are the following:

1) His daughter, Krystal, was on the scene standing on the corner of Camero and Carruthers with a neighbor and then was whisked away by the police and put into a police car after she heard the shots that killed her father. She was kept in the police car with a friend, for about 5 hours after the shots, while we stood around waiting for an announcement. His daughter is 18 years old. She is an adult. How was keeping her in the car with her friend for about 5 hours helping her?

2) There were about 5-6 police, including a female officer, around the car who were talking, laughing and carrying on like nothing had happened. Their behavior was very offensive and disrespectful. They may be used to people dying but this was a father, a son and our friend who had just been killed.

3) His mother, Cathy, was called and asked to come over to the scene by one of our parents. She had no idea that it was her son who was on the news. She tried to approach her granddaughter, Krystal, in the car and the police sent her away. She was not given any information and told that they were waiting. For what? No one was ever told. This is the victim's mother and she was told to go away. She identified herself and this is how you treat family? a mother?

We understand that the police felt they were protecting the public and themselves but what we would like to know is what measures were taken to protect Chris from getting killed?

Is there a Crisis Unit available to handle these situations?

Does the police have any measure in place to diffuse situations like this or is it only in the movies that blow horns are used?

He has been described as having a 'criminal record' so if this is true, were there no records of his family that could have been called to intervene ?

This scenario seemed to have happened 2 years ago and his mother and daughter were used to talk him out of killing himself. The police knew his daughter was present, why wasn't she allowed to talk to her father?

There was a neighbor in the area whom he had gone to visit prior to his getting shot available and ready to talk to Chris but he was not allowed to contact him. Another officer who lives in the area was with this neighbor and knew he was prepared to talk to him. Why wasn't he allowed to talk to him?

When he came out of the garage, where were the Swat Team that were present, who may be dressed with bullet proof vests to keep them safe? Why didn't they take a shot to disarm him or render him unable to shoot? It was reported on the news that 2 regular policemen shot Chris.

Why did the police shoot to kill? Is this policy?

It was also reported that the rifle was not cocked to shoot nor did he have elevated to shoot. Why did they shoot to kill?

What many people, including the "experts" are stating is that Chris had 'suicide by police' in mind.

We, his family and friends, knew that he was elated about a new job he started in Santa Fe and that he adored his daughter!

We also knew he was not suicidal nor gun crazy nor asking for the inevitable. We also knew that he was his daughter's only support.

Chris made a bad choice coming out with a rifle in his hand but why did he have to die? He was not a violent person! Come into the neighborhood and interview the people who lived by him; interview the cheer parents of Eldorado High School; interview the baseball players he played with for years; interview the parents and families at Road Runner Little League where his daughter played and he was a role model for many years; interview his bosses and peers at his employment; interview his mother, his brother, his sister, and interview his daughter, Krystal. They will all give you a different picture of the man being touted as a violent man!

Tonight's KOAT-TV 7 news indicated that you, Mr. Berry, are not looking at the way police are handling these shootings. The other man, the independent expert, stated something that when the public is concerned, the police shoot... yes, we know.

If it was a family member and you knew he or she was ill, wouldn't you want someone to do all they could to keep them alive and get them help? Are you stating that the way this situation was handled was the best APD could do? How can anyone feel that the police will not shoot to kill? Are the present police procedures the best APD has to offer?

Chris Hinz is dead.

We are having a candlelight vigil service to honor his life and help us heal on Thursday, June 17th, at 8 pm in front of his home, 5501 Carruthers. His memorial service will be held at Hoffmantown Church on Thursday, June 24th at 10 am. You are welcome to attend.