Man who shot attackers in Denver claims race-based wrongful prosecution
Stephan Long, who killed two white men while defending his family on an I-25 exit, says police reports led to unfounded double-murder charges that were later dropped.
On an I-25 exit ramp in Denver, Stephan Long fired at two men who blocked his vehicle and threatened his family, killing both. Officers Daniel Meadows and Detective Adam Lucero questioned Long without fully advising his Miranda rights and produced a probable-cause report that failed to mention his children’s presence and the attackers’ aggression. That report spurred the Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office to file double-murder charges, which remained pending for 14 months before being dropped after city-council pressure.
In 2025, Long filed a civil suit against Meadows, Lucero, the Denver Police Department, and the city, asserting that the prosecution reflected a double standard against Black men defending themselves. Civil-rights attorney Zachary Warren argued the case centers on racial bias, while the officers’ counsel invoked qualified immunity. Judge Daniel Domenico directed Long to amend his complaint to focus on the defendants’ alleged actions.
Why it matters
The case highlights concerns about racial bias and prosecutorial practices in self-defense incidents.
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