Rollin Oliver: Read probable cause statement of Officer Celena Hollis's accused killer

Rollin Oliver.

Update: We've obtained the probable cause statement in Denver Police Officer Celena Hollis's death. See it below earlier coverage.

Original post, 6:59 p.m. September 13: Rollin Oliver, accused of murdering Denver Policewoman Celena Hollis, admitted to officers that he fired at least two shots on June 24 in City Park, and a bullet found at the scene bearing Hollis's DNA matches Oliver's gun, a detective testified in court today.

Oliver, 21, reportedly told police he fired his gun because he was being chased by several people whom he believed to be Crips gang members.

Despite his attorney's argument that Oliver was simply trying to defend himself, a judge found probable cause that he committed first-degree murder and ordered him to be held in jail without bond.

A portrait of Celena Hollis.

Today's hearing revealed many new details about what happened the day Hollis was shot. She was off-duty, providing security at City Park Jazz, when she responded to a fight that broke out just after the music ended at 8 p.m. According to Denver Detective Jamie Castro, the only person to testify, details as to how many people were involved or how many had guns differs, as do descriptions of what the shooter was wearing.

The police arrested Oliver as he was fleeing the park, Castro said. In his waistband, they found a .40 caliber Ruger handgun. In addition to the bullet that killed Hollis, four shell casings found in the park match the gun Oliver was carrying. They were found about eighty yards from where Hollis fell. As for what happened to the other bullets, the police found one in the ground, one in the roof of the City Park Pavilion and fragments of a fourth that suggest it hit something and shattered.

When Oliver was interviewed about two hours later, he was upset and crying, Castro said. He told police that he'd gone to the park with a friend. Oliver said he brought his gun because he knew there was a possibility of trouble, though he wasn't anticipating any. Castro testified that Oliver said he was carrying his gun "with one in the chamber."

Once at the park, Castro said Oliver told police that he and his friend were confronted by a group of people he assumed were Crips gang members, and they beat his friend badly. Oliver ran away, and as he did, he said he fired over his shoulder. Later in the interview, Castro said Oliver changed his story to say he turned sideways to shoot.

When asked if he knew he'd likely hit somebody, Castro testified that Oliver said he did.

Continue reading for responses from Oliver's defense attorney and the probable cause statement.