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One Lakewood police officer was killed and three others were wounded in a gunfight with a suspect near an RTD bus Thursday evening, police said. The suspect was also killed, and a civilian was injured; investigators have not released the identities or the civilian’s condition.
One Lakewood police officer was killed and three others were wounded in a gunfight with a suspect near a bus in Lakewood, Colorado, on Thursday evening, police said. The suspect was also killed in the exchange, and a civilian was injured; officials have not released the identities of those involved or the conditions of the surviving officers.
Officers were dispatched at about 6:30 p.m. local time to the area of Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard, roughly five miles west of downtown Denver, after a report of a suspicious person, Lakewood Police Department public information officer John Romero told reporters. Romero said the person might have been involved in a hit-and-run earlier that day. That possible connection has not been described further.
When officers encountered the suspect, he was attempting to board a Regional Transportation District bus, Romero said. He told reporters that the suspect fired within seconds of officers approaching, prompting a gunfight. All four officers were taken to area hospitals. One died, while Romero said he did not have information on the conditions of the three wounded officers. The suspect died in the gunfire, he said.
A civilian was also injured, according to Romero, but the circumstances of that injury have not been established publicly. The identities of the officer who died, the wounded officers, the civilian and the suspect had not been released in the report. The Jefferson County Critical Incident Response Team will investigate the officer-involved shooting, Romero said.
Impact on Lakewood Police and Transit
The death of an officer and injuries to three colleagues leave Lakewood’s department facing both an immediate staffing challenge and the loss of a member of its force. On Friday morning, the department said neighboring agencies would help cover patrols and calls so Lakewood officers and staff could grieve and support one another. That arrangement makes the incident relevant beyond the scene: residents may see officers from other agencies responding around the city over the coming days.
The shooting also involved a bus serving RTD Route 76, according to the transit agency, bringing the incident into a public transportation setting. RTD said it was deeply concerned and that the safety and well-being of customers, employees and partners remained its highest priority. The available account does not establish how many passengers or employees were aboard, or whether anyone else was hurt.
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How the Encounter Unfolded
Police said the call began with a report of a suspicious person near the intersection of Colfax and Wadsworth. The suspect was reportedly trying to board the bus when officers approached. Romero’s account places the gunfire within seconds of that approach, but the published information does not provide a detailed sequence of the exchange, including how many shots were fired or who fired each shot.
Lakewood police identified the Jefferson County Critical Incident Response Team as the investigating body. The department’s Friday statement said neighboring agencies would take on patrol and service calls while Lakewood personnel had time to grieve. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis also issued a statement expressing heartbreak over the officer’s death and recognizing the risks law enforcement officers face.
“Within seconds of agents approaching the suspect, the suspect opened fire on our agents. A gunfight ensued.”
— John Romero, Lakewood Police Department public information officer
Identities and Injury Details Pending
Authorities had not publicly identified the people involved in the report, including the officer who died and the suspect. The conditions of the three wounded officers were not available from Romero, and officials had not explained the civilian’s injury or released the civilian’s condition. It also remains unclear whether the suspected earlier hit-and-run is connected to the shooting, what evidence supports that possibility, and how many people were on the bus.
The account provided by police is an initial description of the encounter. The investigating team’s findings, including a fuller timeline and any evidence about the gunfire, had not been reported. No further details about the suspect or a possible motive were available.
Investigation and Department Coverage
The Jefferson County Critical Incident Response Team is expected to investigate the officer-involved shooting. Its inquiry may establish more about the encounter, the shots fired and the civilian’s injury, but the source report did not give a timetable for releasing findings. Police had not announced when they would identify the victims or provide another update on the wounded officers.
In the meantime, Lakewood police said neighboring agencies would patrol the city and respond to calls for service over the next several days. The department described that support as a way to give its officers and staff space to grieve and care for one another. Further information from police, investigators or RTD could clarify the circumstances and the effect on bus service.
Key Questions
Where did the shooting happen?
Police said officers responded near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard in Lakewood, about five miles west of downtown Denver. The suspect was attempting to board an RTD-contracted bus serving Route 76 when officers encountered him, according to police.
How many people were shot or injured?
Police reported that four officers were shot: one died and three were wounded. The suspect was killed, and a civilian was injured. Officials had not provided the civilian’s condition or the conditions of the wounded officers.
What led officers to the scene?
Lakewood police said officers were called at about 6:30 p.m. Thursday for a report of a suspicious person. Public information officer John Romero said the person might have been involved in a hit-and-run earlier that day, but the connection has not been confirmed in the reported information.
Who is investigating the shooting?
The Jefferson County Critical Incident Response Team will handle the investigation into the officer-involved shooting, Romero said. A timeline for the investigation or release of findings was not provided.
How will Lakewood respond while the department grieves?
Lakewood police said neighboring agencies would help handle patrols and calls for service over the next several days. The department said this would give its agents and staff space to grieve and support one another.
Source: abcnews.com
