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Court documents say victim filmed his own murder in shooting near UCCS

Posted at 2:08 PM, Mar 29, 2019
and last updated 2019-03-29 23:35:45-04
James W. Hanlon
Photo of James W. Hanlon (CSPD)

COLORADO SPRINGS – Court documents obtained by News5 show the man killed in Wednesday night’s shooting on Rimwood Drive filmed the entire exchange on his phone before he died.

Police have still not released the name of the man who was found in the middle of Rimwood Drive Wednesday night with multiple gunshot wounds. First responders tried to save his life, but they were not successful.

A paramedic at the scene found the man’s phone on the ground next to him after he died. The paramedic found that the phone was still recording. When he played the recording back, he saw a video of a man pulling up in a blue SUV with its driver’s side window down. Four rounds were then fired at the man.

A later review of the video by police found Hanlon told the man, “You’re stupid.” twice before he shot him. Police said he was wearing throwaway rubber gloves when he pulled the trigger.

A witness to the shooting also told police she heard three shots while driving up the street and then saw a white man get out of his SUV. She said he then walked over to the man and saw him shoot the victim in the head one more time before getting back in his vehicle and driving away.

Detectives quickly zeroed in on 53-year-old James Hanlon as a suspect during their investigation. Investigators discovered the victim told police in February there were “ongoing issues” with Hanlon. Police also discovered Hanlon was cited by the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region earlier on the date of the shooting for having an aggressive dog.

Police posted a transcript of some comments Hanlon made in an interview with Animal Law Enforcement while he was being cited.

According to police, a portion of that interview read:

“We’re just gonna kick his a**, that’s all we’re gonna do. Next time I see him, I’ll just kick his a**. I guarantee you once he gets his a** kicked, that will be the end of it.”

Records showed Hanlon was given his ticket at 5:38 p.m. and the shooting was reported 46 minutes later at 6;24 p.m.

Police called Hanlon’s phone twice, and both calls only rang once and were sent to voicemail.

Friday night police say Hanlon turned himself in to authorities in Denver.