Candlelight Vigil for Rajon Belt-Stubblefield

In a moment that has left the Aurora community reeling, an Aurora police officer fatally shot 37-year-old Rajon Belt-Stubblefield on August 31st in broad daylight, just steps away from his son. The incident unfolded near 6th Avenue and Billings Street and has since ignited a wave of public outrage, grief, and urgent calls for accountability.

Belt-Stubblefield, a father of seven and student at Pickens Technical College, was reportedly involved in a police chase that ended when his vehicle collided with another car, driven by eyewitness MiDian Z. Shofner. Shofner, who was rear-ended during the pursuit, captured the fatal encounter live on video, adding a raw and visceral layer to the public’s reaction.

According to witnesses, Belt-Stubblefield exited his vehicle and allegedly walked toward the officer, who shouted commands for him to stop. Within seconds, three shots rang out. Belt-Stubblefield collapsed and was later pronounced dead. Medical aid was said to have been rendered too late at the scene—a detail that has further fueled community anger and disbelief.

“This was senseless,” said one resident at a vigil held the following night. “It’s not just about this incident, it’s about a pattern, a system that keeps failing us.”

Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain has admitted that the deadly shooting by an Aurora police officer was tragic

The vigil, held in Belt-Stubblefield’s honor, was a poignant gathering of candles, flowers, and voices demanding justice. His son, Zion Murphy-Belt, stood before the crowd and spoke with quiet strength: “My dad was a good person. The way he died was not cool. We want justice for sure.”

Among the speakers was Dr. Eric Nelson, president of the Colorado Chapter of the National Action Network Colorado (NANC), whose words echoed through the crowd with conviction and urgency. “As a concerned Black citizen, I am calling on all of us to unite in this critical moment,” he said. “The tragic loss of Rajon Belt-Stubblefield, along with countless others, underscores the urgent need for systemic change and accountability in our justice system.”

Dr. Nelson described the vigil as a powerful reminder that mourning must be matched with action. “Rajon was shot in front of his son, who will be forever traumatized by this violence. His family and loved ones are left behind to pick up the pieces of a life shattered by injustice. How many more children and families must be broken before real change happens?”

He called for the immediate release of all footage, the firing of the officer involved, and the implementation of policies that prioritize non-lethal force and real accountability. “The evidence is clear, citizen videos captured the altercation, and it’s obvious that the officer involved used lethal force during a fistfight altercation with no justification. This is an embarrassment to good officers everywhere and a betrayal of the badge.”

City Council member Alison Coombs has also called for full transparency and an independent investigation. “The community deserves answers,” she stated. “We cannot allow this to be swept under the rug.”

Echoing these demands, the Aurora Unit of the NAACP released a statement expressing deep sorrow and alarm over the killing of an unarmed Black man following a traffic stop. “A traffic violation must not escalate to a fatal encounter,” the statement read. “We stand with our community in demanding full transparency and accountability.”

The NAACP emphasized the need for clarity amid conflicting reports—including claims about a weapon on the ground and Belt-Stubblefield’s alleged actions. “Too often, narratives are shaped to justify deadly force, while families and communities are left with grief, unanswered questions, and systemic distrust.”

Their demands were unequivocal: a thorough investigation beyond internal police review and the 18th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team, and the immediate release of all available body camera footage and evidence to the public. “Our community deserves answers, accountability, and assurance that Black lives are valued and protected. We demand answers. We demand transparency.”

As Aurora mourns, the questions mount: Was the use of deadly force necessary? Why was no aid provided immediately? What does the body camera footage reveal? And most urgently—how do we prevent this from happening again?

An undated family photo shows Rajon Belt-Stubblefield, who was shot and killed by an Aurora police officer.

This tragedy has reopened wounds and reignited conversations about policing, accountability, and the value of Black lives in Colorado. For Belt-Stubblefield’s family, justice is not just a demand; it’s a legacy they intend to fight for.

Dr. Nelson closed his remarks with a rallying call: “Our voices and our unity are our strongest tools for change. The evidence is in; now it’s time for decisive action. We owe it to Rajon, his son, and every family affected to ensure that this kind of tragedy never happens again. Stay organized. Keep demanding justice. Our fight continues until real change is achieved.”