Investigation Continues in Denver Shooting

Matthew Dolloff

The security guard agency that was said to have contracted a private guard who fatally shot someone in Denver over the weekend issued a statement for the first time, saying the guard was not in its employ.

“We take loss of life in any situation very seriously and are our hearts go out to those impacted by this situation. As it relates to the incident in Denver on October 10, the agent in question is not a Pinkerton employee but rather a contractor agent from a long standing industry vendor,” Pinkerton said in an emailed statement to The Epoch Times on Monday.

Pinkerton did not say what vendor employed Dolloff. The agency was started in the 1800s and describes itself on its website “as guardians and protectors of organizations around the world.”

NBC affiliate 9News said it hired Matthew Dolloff, 30, as a security guard for protection at competing rallies on Saturday, one held by a conservative group and another that featured Black Lives Matter and Antifa members.

Dolloff drew his weapon and shot dead Lee Keltner, whose son said was protesting in support of the police, as Keltner sprayed mace at Dolloff, photographs showed.

The graphic pictures showed Dolloff fire his weapon, Keltner fall to the ground, and Dolloff look around before kneeling on the ground as police officers in riot gear rushed over and took him into custody.

9News, which has not responded to requests for comment, has only given details about its relationship with Dolloff in its own news reports.

“Dolloff was contracted through Pinkerton by 9NEWS. It has been the practice of 9NEWS for a number of months to contract private security to accompany staff at protests,” the broadcaster said in one of its stories.

9NEWS’ General Manager Mark Cornetta added in a statement: “9NEWS is deeply saddened by this loss of life. We have and will continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement.”