Adams County Defendant Sentenced to 50 Years in Prison for Neighbor's Murder, Firing at Law Enforcement Officers
December 15, 2023
Brighton, CO — Today, District Attorney Brian Mason is announcing the 50-year Department of Corrections sentence for Andrew Reineke, 30, following his guilty plea to Second-Degree Murder and Second-Degree Attempted Murder on September 20, 2023, in Adams County District Court.
On August 3, 2021, Andrew Reineke confronted his neighbor, Andrew Ervin, near their Commerce City homes along Grape Street. During the confrontation, Reineke, unprompted, shot Ervin 11 times in the back. Commerce City Police were called to the scene. While the responding officers searched for the murder weapon, Reineke fled the area. The defendant hid behind a truck, ducked into an alley, and menaced a family with his firearm so they would stay quiet.
Hidden from view, Reineke opened fire on one of the Commerce City Officers. The defendant shot eight times in the officer's direction, two of which were fired while the officer was running away with his back turned. One of the bullets passed through the officer's shirt sleeve. Reineke continued to hide and then turned his attention to an Adams County Sheriff's Deputy who was stopped in the area while looking for the defendant. Reineke fired multiple shots at the deputy's vehicle. Bullets struck one of the tires and another portion of the car close to where the deputy was sitting. Reineke continued to fire at multiple responding officers in the area from behind a small wooden fence. Reineke was struck during the exchange of gunfire with law enforcement, and the defendant was eventually apprehended. This all occurred on National Night Out, an evening where law enforcement officers engage with members of the communities they serve at events and BBQs.
A decision letter was issued by District Attorney Brian Mason on June 23, 2022, that cleared the involved law enforcement officers of any criminal wrongdoing.
Clips from the body-worn cameras of two of the involved officers are linked below.
Clip #1: BWC #1 (Graphic)
Clip #2: BWC #2 (Graphic)
"This was a horrific crime with devastating consequences,” said District Attorney Brian Mason. “The defendant murdered a neighbor, shot at multiple police officers, and put countless lives in danger. I commend the heroic actions of the law enforcement officers who responded to this dangerous scene. The defendant will now have 50 years in prison to consider his egregious actions."
On September 20, 2023, Reineke pleaded guilty to Second-Degree Murder and Second-Degree Attempted Murder. On December 15, 2023, an Adams County District Court Judge sentenced the defendant to 50 years in the Department of Corrections.
During the sentencing hearing, several of the involved law enforcement officers made statements to the Court. (Quotes are nearly verbatim).
"Andrew Reineke heard me talking on the radio, he saw me in full police uniform, and he waited to ambush. He opened fire with every round he had in his gun. As I retreated having no idea where this gunfire was coming from I took a bullet through my right sleeve. He continued to shoot as I retreated to a place of cover. Thank god my training and luck trumped yours. I gave my tourniquet to help save his life. We did this because we are professionals, not cold-blooded murderers. Evil of this level has no place amongst us, our children, or our children's children."
--Officer #1
"I remember telling myself, this guy isn't going to win, and I am going to go home to my family. I feel like I can't breathe at times when waking up from those nightmares. I still believe Mr. Reineke is a coward, and his complete disregard for human life is disgusting. I am thankful, along with my partners, that we are alive today to be with our families, our brothers, and sisters in blue, and that I am able to continue this profession that I have been called to do. Andrew Reineke, you tried to take our lives away, but you failed. You are nothing but a monster in my eyes. You have nothing good to contribute to society."
--Officer #2
Senior Lead Deputy District Attorney Brittany Martin led the prosecution of this case.
# # #
District Attorney Mason assumed the oath of office on January 12, 2021. The 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office endeavors to seek justice on behalf of the citizens of Adams and Broomfield counties in felony and misdemeanor cases. DA Mason and his staff are dedicated to transforming the criminal justice system to better serve the citizens of the 17th Judicial District.
Go Back 
On August 3, 2021, Andrew Reineke confronted his neighbor, Andrew Ervin, near their Commerce City homes along Grape Street. During the confrontation, Reineke, unprompted, shot Ervin 11 times in the back. Commerce City Police were called to the scene. While the responding officers searched for the murder weapon, Reineke fled the area. The defendant hid behind a truck, ducked into an alley, and menaced a family with his firearm so they would stay quiet.
Hidden from view, Reineke opened fire on one of the Commerce City Officers. The defendant shot eight times in the officer's direction, two of which were fired while the officer was running away with his back turned. One of the bullets passed through the officer's shirt sleeve. Reineke continued to hide and then turned his attention to an Adams County Sheriff's Deputy who was stopped in the area while looking for the defendant. Reineke fired multiple shots at the deputy's vehicle. Bullets struck one of the tires and another portion of the car close to where the deputy was sitting. Reineke continued to fire at multiple responding officers in the area from behind a small wooden fence. Reineke was struck during the exchange of gunfire with law enforcement, and the defendant was eventually apprehended. This all occurred on National Night Out, an evening where law enforcement officers engage with members of the communities they serve at events and BBQs.
A decision letter was issued by District Attorney Brian Mason on June 23, 2022, that cleared the involved law enforcement officers of any criminal wrongdoing.
Clips from the body-worn cameras of two of the involved officers are linked below.
Clip #1: BWC #1 (Graphic)
Clip #2: BWC #2 (Graphic)
"This was a horrific crime with devastating consequences,” said District Attorney Brian Mason. “The defendant murdered a neighbor, shot at multiple police officers, and put countless lives in danger. I commend the heroic actions of the law enforcement officers who responded to this dangerous scene. The defendant will now have 50 years in prison to consider his egregious actions."
On September 20, 2023, Reineke pleaded guilty to Second-Degree Murder and Second-Degree Attempted Murder. On December 15, 2023, an Adams County District Court Judge sentenced the defendant to 50 years in the Department of Corrections.
During the sentencing hearing, several of the involved law enforcement officers made statements to the Court. (Quotes are nearly verbatim).
"Andrew Reineke heard me talking on the radio, he saw me in full police uniform, and he waited to ambush. He opened fire with every round he had in his gun. As I retreated having no idea where this gunfire was coming from I took a bullet through my right sleeve. He continued to shoot as I retreated to a place of cover. Thank god my training and luck trumped yours. I gave my tourniquet to help save his life. We did this because we are professionals, not cold-blooded murderers. Evil of this level has no place amongst us, our children, or our children's children."
--Officer #1
"I remember telling myself, this guy isn't going to win, and I am going to go home to my family. I feel like I can't breathe at times when waking up from those nightmares. I still believe Mr. Reineke is a coward, and his complete disregard for human life is disgusting. I am thankful, along with my partners, that we are alive today to be with our families, our brothers, and sisters in blue, and that I am able to continue this profession that I have been called to do. Andrew Reineke, you tried to take our lives away, but you failed. You are nothing but a monster in my eyes. You have nothing good to contribute to society."
--Officer #2
Senior Lead Deputy District Attorney Brittany Martin led the prosecution of this case.
# # #
District Attorney Mason assumed the oath of office on January 12, 2021. The 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office endeavors to seek justice on behalf of the citizens of Adams and Broomfield counties in felony and misdemeanor cases. DA Mason and his staff are dedicated to transforming the criminal justice system to better serve the citizens of the 17th Judicial District.