Ex-officer who responded to Aurora theater shooting accused of child sexual assault

DENVER (KDVR) — A former Aurora police officer, who made headlines for being a first responder in the Aurora theater shooting in 2012, faces multiple charges of child sexual assault.

An affidavit for an arrest warrant was filed in July for Michael Scott Hawkins, 54, according to the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office.

Reports of change in Hawkins’ behavior after Aurora theater shooting

According to the Aurora Police Department, Hawkins was hired in 2005.

In 2012, Hawkins was a first responder in the Aurora theater shooting. During the trial in 2015, Hawkins spoke about carrying out the lifeless body of a young girl.

According to the affidavit, Hawkins’ behavior allegedly changed and became “agitated, violent and there were domestic violence incidents.” Many victims and witnesses described “sexual type incidents” throughout the years, displaying a potential pattern of abuse.

FOX31 emailed an attorney for Hawkins on Tuesday night but had not heard back as of Wednesday afternoon.

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In 2017, a woman filed a lawsuit against three Aurora police officers, including Hawkins, who she said choked her, slammed her to the ground and stomped on her head during a December 2015 arrest.

According to Aurora police, Hawkins was medically retired as a sergeant in January 2018.

Bond for Hawkins was set at $50,000.

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