Wrong-Home SWAT Raid Leaves Denver Family Traumatized and Fighting for Justice

A peaceful evening in a Denver apartment turned into a terrifying ordeal when a SWAT team mistakenly stormed the wrong home, leaving a family—including two young girls—deeply shaken and searching for answers.

It happened in June 2023. Kirsty Shelton, her two daughters (ages 5 and 6), their grandmother, and another adult were inside their apartment when heavily armed officers suddenly began pounding on their front door. The family says they barely had time to react before the police burst in, pointing rifles and ordering everyone outside.

What makes the story even more disturbing is that, according to a new lawsuit filed by the family, police knew—or should have known—they were at the wrong address.

“They Had Guns Pointed at My Children”

Kirsty Shelton remembers the moment with heartbreaking clarity.

“My girls were screaming. They were terrified. And I couldn’t help them,” she said in an interview.

According to the lawsuit, officers ignored the grandmother’s pleas that they had the wrong home and forced her and Kirsty out at gunpoint. Meanwhile, the two children were left inside with the armed officers until they, too, were removed.

Another adult in the apartment, who had just stepped out of the shower, was also detained. The entire family was placed in a locked police car for nearly an hour while officers searched their home, only to realize the actual suspect lived across the hall.

Apartment Number Clearly Marked, Lawsuit Says

The lawsuit accuses the Denver Police Department of negligence and reckless conduct. It states that officers had a warrant for Apartment 307, but they raided Apartment 306 instead. The apartment numbers were clearly visible on the doors, the suit claims, and there was no excuse for the mix-up.

To make matters worse, the family says police tried to downplay the incident afterward. An after-action report by the commanding officer claimed that the family had been “advised of the situation” and “evacuated for their own safety.” But Kirsty and her family say that’s simply not true.

“They never admitted they made a mistake,” said Kirsty. “They acted like nothing even happened.”

Lasting Psychological Damage

The family says the traumatic event has left deep emotional scars, especially on the two little girls. They’ve both needed therapy to deal with anxiety and fear that began after the raid.

“They used to feel safe at home,” Kirsty said. “Now they’re scared every time someone knocks at the door.”

The lawsuit highlights how the family’s sense of security was shattered in a matter of minutes—and how the lack of accountability from police has only made things worse.

Legal Action Under Police Reform Law

The Shelton family’s lawsuit is being filed under Colorado’s police reform law passed in 2020. That law prevents officers from using qualified immunity as a shield in state court, allowing people to sue directly for violations of their rights.

Their case echoes other recent incidents in Colorado. In one case, a 78-year-old woman was awarded $3.76 million after a SWAT team raided her home based on a faulty phone tracker.

Lawyers for the Shelton family say this case could help set a precedent for how police mistakes are handled and how victims are treated in the aftermath.

A Fight for Justice

For Kirsty and her family, the lawsuit is about more than just compensation—it’s about making sure no one else goes through what they did.

“I just want them to be held accountable,” she said. “This wasn’t an honest mistake. They were careless, and my family paid the price.”

As the legal process unfolds, the case is drawing public attention to a serious issue: how easily law enforcement errors can lead to trauma, especially when young children are involved.

The Shelton family says they’re still trying to heal. But they’re also determined to make their voices heard.