A viral post shared on X implies a recent shelter-in-place order for Aurora, Colorado was related to Venezuelan gang activity in the area.

A shelter in place order was just issued for Aurora, CO residents.

But I thought this was all in our imaginations? pic.twitter.com/upmsTgNjRb

— TaraBull (@TaraBull808) September 5, 2024

Verdict: False

According to a Sept. 4 X post from the Aurora Police Department, the order was issued while a SWAT team executed a warrant for a “warranted felon.” Denver7 reported the police had confirmed the order was unrelated to alleged Venezuelan gang activity in the area.

Fact Check:

Colorado officials have agreed to drop all charges against the landlord of the Aspen Grove apartment complex, which has allegedly been taken over by a Venezuelan migrant gang, according to Fox News, which cited a report from the Denver Gazette. The landlord agreed to a number of terms, including waiving his right to a speedy trial, the outlet indicated.

The X post, viewed over four million times as of writing, implies a recent shelter-in-place order for Aurora, Colorado was related to Venezuelan gang activity in the area. “A shelter in place order was just issued for Aurora, CO residents. But I thought this was all in our imaginations?” the post’s caption reads. The post includes a photo of a police car with a banner featuring the phrase “Shelter in Place” and what appears to be an official police seal.

The claim is false, however. On Sept. 4, the Aurora Police Department issued a shelter-in-place order while their SWAT team executed a warrant for a “warranted felon.” The order was shared as a post on the Aurora Police Department’s verified X account.

“#APDAlert: A shelter in place order was just issued for Aurora residents residing between Nome and Moline streets and 17th and 19th avenues. APD SWAT is in the area executing a warrant for a wanted felon. Residents in the area, for your safety please stay in your homes and away from doors and windows. We will [provide] updates here as they become available,” the post reads.

#APDAlert: A shelter in place order was just issued for Aurora residents residing between Nome and Moline streets and 17th and 19th avenues. APD SWAT is in the area executing an arrest warrant for a wanted felon.

Residents in the area, for your safety please stay in your homes… pic.twitter.com/Xh9Ed1du9O

— Aurora Police Dept (@AuroraPD) September 5, 2024

Denver7 later reported the Aurora Police Department had lifted the shelter-in-place order and had confirmed to the outlet that the order was not related to alleged Venezuelan gang activity at an apartment complex in the area.

Likewise, Check Your Fact found no credible news reports to support the claim. In fact, the opposite is true. On Sept. 6, Lead Stories reported the claim was false. A spokesperson for the Aurora Police Department told the outlet the order was not related to gang activity.

“The shelter in place order was issued due to the SWAT team serving an arrest warrant in the area. The suspect, Alfredo Jaquez (7/2/85), was wanted on a felony menacing warrant out of Adams County District Court. The shelter in place order had nothing to do with gang activity,” the spokesperson explained to Lead Stories via email. (RELATED: Viral Instagram Post Falsely Claims Hells Angels Are En Route To Aurora, Colorado)

Check Your Fact has also contacted the Aurora Police Department for comment.