Steven Alire

Deadly force

Steven Alire reportedly brandished a knife and a gun at a group of juveniles who were playing basketball at Orchard Mesa Middle School. The man was then reported to have gone inside a nearby home. Multiple officers responded and were able to identify a possible suspect based on the information they obtained. Police ordered Steven Alire out of the house, and the man eventually came out and appeared to have a firearm. When he failed to comply with orders from officers, police shot and killed him. The firearm was later discovered to have been an airsoft rifle. The two Mesa County Sheriff's Office deputies -- Jason Bailey and Shaver Hansen -- and two Grand Junction Police Department officers -- Thomas Wihera and Thomas Nelson -- involved were cleared by 21st Judicial District Attorney Dan Rubinstein.