Longmont District Attorney Clears Officer in Fatal Shooting
The officer will face no criminal charges after a deadly encounter in a Longmont home this past August.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Law Enforcement
The Longmont District Attorney has officially cleared an officer of criminal wrongdoing following the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Dariss Malikie Yearby. Officials determined that the use of lethal force was legally justified given the circumstances.
Why it matters
The decision concludes the legal review of the August 10, 2026, incident, determining whether the actions of the responding officer met the legal threshold for the use of deadly force. Prosecutors found that the officer acted under the belief that the victim was in imminent danger.
The District Attorney ruled the shooting was legally justified, resulting in zero criminal charges filed against Officer Joshua Barry. The investigation centered on a single shot fired at the 2300 block of Bluebird Drive.
The players
Joshua Barry
The Longmont police officer who was cleared of criminal wrongdoing after firing his weapon during an encounter.
Dariss Malikie Yearby
The 20-year-old individual who was killed during the police encounter at a residence on Bluebird Drive.
The details
Police responded to a home where Dariss Malikie Yearby was holding a victim in a headlock while claiming to have a gun concealed in or behind a bag. After Yearby repeatedly refused commands to drop the item and exit the residence, Officer Joshua Barry fired his weapon once.
Timeline
August 10, 2026: The officer fatally shot Dariss Malikie Yearby.
October 28, 2026: The District Attorney cleared the officer of wrongdoing.
Legal Context
The ruling follows the standards set by Colorado’s use-of-force statutes, which define the legal parameters for when officers may employ lethal intervention. This decision reflects the typical investigative process for officer-involved incidents in this jurisdiction.
This decision marks the conclusion of the formal investigation into the incident, meaning no further legal proceedings against the officer will occur. Residents can expect no additional operational impacts or safety advisories related to this specific case moving forward.
The takeaway
The District Attorney emphasized that the officer's use of force was a response to the immediate threat posed to the hostage. This case highlights the complexity of domestic situations where suspects claim to be armed.
Further reading
For additional context on how local investigations are handled, see Longmont Law Enforcement.
