It began as a routine traffic stop on a quiet suburban street in Westminster, Colorado. Officer Nick Adams approached a silver SUV parked in the wrong lane, unaware the encounter would soon turn deadly. Inside sat 46-year-old Alysha Duran, silent and unresponsive as Adams tried to make contact. After several unanswered questions, she finally rolled her window halfway down. Moments later, her hand moved toward the center console — and within seconds, Adams fired multiple shots through the passenger window.
Duran was struck and died at the scene. A stray bullet pierced a nearby Jeep’s windshield, narrowly missing the driver. Body-camera footage shows Adams breaking down moments after the shooting, crying, “I’m so sorry,” as he realized what had happened.
Investigators later found a handgun inside Duran’s vehicle, though it remains unclear whether she intended to use it. The shocking footage has reignited debate nationwide over police use of force, split-second judgment, and the urgent need for improved de-escalation training. As Westminster mourns, the tragedy serves as yet another reminder of how quickly fear can turn fatal.
