Colorado gunfight leaves 4 officers shot, 1 fatally; police say suspect was killed

Officers respond in Lakewood

Police were called to the area of Colfax and Wadsworth at about 6:30 p.m. local time Thursday. The location is about five miles west of downtown Denver. The call concerned a suspicious person who may have been involved in a hit-and-run earlier that day, Lakewood Police Department public information officer John Romero said. When officers encountered the person, he was trying to get onto an RTD bus.

Gunfire and injuries

Romero said the suspect opened fire within seconds of officers approaching, and a gunfight followed. The suspect was killed in the exchange, he told reporters. All four officers were taken to area hospitals, where one died. Romero said he did not have information about the condition of the three wounded officers. A civilian was also injured, but the circumstances were unclear, Romero said.

Investigation and response

The Jefferson County Critical Incident Response Team will investigate the officer-involved shooting, Romero said. RTD said the shooting occurred aboard a bus operated under contract and serving Route 76 in Lakewood. The transportation service said the safety and well-being of its customers, employees and partners remained its highest priority.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said he was heartbroken to learn that a Lakewood police agent had been killed in the line of duty. Romero said the department’s immediate concern was the fallen officer’s family and colleagues.