Innocent Man Homeless After Swat Destroys House
Donation protected
Hi, My name is Joe. I have been a resident of Englewood Colorado for the last 17 years. I have cherished the community here, especially because it has always been safe to call home. I work as a project manager doing an assortment of general contracting duties. I've always loved this job because it is hands-on and I get to have fun using my collection of power tools. I live with my sister and niece full time and their dog named Gucci.
July 18th local police and three SWAT vehicles destroyed my home when trying to arrest a wanted suspect. With no warning, my sister, niece and her dog and I are all without any of our possessions and without a place to call home. My vehicle was destroyed by the spray of bullets from the police and the suspect. I am not one to ask for help from others, but I am not sure how to hold my family life together with my current situation of suddenly being without a home, vehicle or any of our possessions. I am humbly asking for any donations to go towards repairing my home and vehicle so my family and I can return to our home. My niece was deeply traumatized by this tragic event, and I want to ensure she gets any support and professional help needed for her to live as normal a life as possible without living in constant fear.
Here are a few big points from this tragedy:
- Local police and SWAT are not held responsible for the damage they do to innocent people's homes in cases like this, this could have easily happened to anyone.
- SWAT and local police were trying to locate a suspect who was about to leave the house and rent an Airbnb, he was visiting the woman who is renting his basement currently.
- SWAT proceeded to use a battering ram to break down my front door, tear off my garage door & threw it in the front yard, shot out my windows, and badly damaged my car with all the gunfire from police.
- I am not allowed back to my home until it is professionally treated for chemicals from the tear gas used during this incident, repair the windows and doors to the home, as well as have structural engineers come to inspect the damages done to the structure of my home.
- I did not know anyone in my house was wanted by authorities.
- The suspect was shot 15 times and killed by police. I cannot list his name until his family has been officially notified by authorities concerning his family and two children.
- My niece heard sirens outside and went to investigate. She was shocked when she was aggressively grabbed by local police who pulled her over the privacy fence, which left her scraped up and bruised.
- The police didn't listen to my niece trying to inform them that the family dog was still inside the house. The dog was eventually brought by police to a local pound after the traumatizing events.
- Dozens and dozens of rounds of ammo were fired during the 5-6 hour incident
- SWAT and local police are not responsible for any damage they do to property even if the homeowner is innocent in the matter, leaving the homeowner with the bill
What donations will help my family with:
- Remediation of the house to clean chemicals the police used, replace broken windows, replace garage door, replace front door & general clean up for broken glass and items destroyed by this incident
- Replace items destroyed from bullets/SWAT- Fridge was damaged and left on the front lawn by police, and tools needed for work
- Have the house inspected by a structural engineer to find damages needing repairs to the walls and structure of the house
- Lodging until we are allowed to move back into our home which may take weeks or months
- Cost of personal needs/hygiene, clothes, shoes, food, and pet needs
- Repairs to the vehicle to repair bullet holes, windows
- Replace fence destroyed by SWAT vehicles
- Repair gutter, tree/plants, front door, front wall, TV/stereo system, and security cameras damaged by SWAT vehicle
- Professional support for my niece to process trauma and PTSD
As I get quotes from contractors I will update donations needed, at this point its a ballpark guess
*I thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to read my story and for any donations to help my family get through this tragic event. I cannot fully express how much these donations mean to me and my family!
Organizer
Joseph Wozna
Organizer
Englewood, CO