Lone gunman goes on shooting rampage through six locations across Colorado leaving four dead and three injured, including cop fighting for his life, before suspect is killed
Five people in Colorado were killed and three were wounded, including a police officer shot in the back, during a shooting spree by a lone gunman that spread from Denver and into a suburb on Monday night.
Police say the suspected gunman - who has not yet been identified - fired shots at six locations across Denver and the nearby suburb of Lakewood.
The suspect, described by witnesses as a tall, blonde man wearing a trench coat, was fatally shot after he opened fire at officers and struck one in the back. Police say the cop was in surgery overnight.
Police have not disclosed a possible motive behind the killing spree.
'To see this type of spree take place is not normal in our community,' Denver Police Department Chief Paul Pazen told KDVR. 'This one individual was responsible for this very violent crime spree that took place this evening.'
Meanwhile, police say the motive behind the 'killing spree' remains unknown and an investigation into the incidents is ongoing.
Officials are asking residents to keep the victims, specifically the officer, in their thoughts and prayers during this tough time.
'We just ask everyone in our community for their thoughts and prayer for that agent and their family,' Lakewood police spokesperson John Romero told the Denver Post.
Five people were killed and three injured, including a police officer, in a shooting spree that spread across Colorado on Monday night
Police say the suspected gunman - who has not yet been identified - fired shots in six locations across Denver and the nearby suburb of Lakewood
The above map shows where the incidents in Monday night's killing spree occurred
The shooting spree began around 5pm in Denver near the intersection of East 1st Avenue and Broadway.
Police say the suspect killed two women and injured one man before fleeing the scene.
Shortly after, the suspect fatally shot another man in the Cheeseman Park neighborhood near 12th Avenue and Williams Street.
The suspect then fired a shot at 6th Avenue and Cherokee Street, as well as 8th Avenue and Zuni Street.
However, police say no injuries were reported at either location.
He was then spotted in his vehicle by police, near 8th Avenue and Zuni Street.
Officers attempted to pull him over when he opened fire, prompting them to shoot back.
The suspect was fatally shot by Lakewood police after he opened fire at officers and struck one in the back. Police say the cop is currently in surgery
Meanwhile, police say the motive behind the 'killing spree' remains unknown and an investigation into the incidents is ongoing
'At this point, we do not believe there is any additional safety concern to the community,' said Lakewood police spokesperson John Romero (pictured)
A Denver police vehicle was disabled and the suspect fled the scene.
He is believed to then have continued his killing spree in Lakewood.
He was reported in the suburb just before 6pm, firing shots and killing one person at the intersection of Colfax Avenue and Kipling Street.
Soon after, Lakewood officers spotted his vehicle in the Belmar area. Gunfire was exchanged after the gunman shot at police.
He then ran away into a nearby business where he brandished his weapon before entering the Hyatt House hotel where he shot a clerk.
The clerk was taken to an area hospital. Their condition remains unknown.
Department Chief Paul Pazen (pictured) said 'this type of spree take place is not normal in our community' and explained that 'one individual was responsible for this very violent crime spree that took place this evening'
The suspect was shot and killed. The Jefferson County sheriff's department is investigating the specifics behind his death
Authorities asked residents to keep the victims, especially the Lakewood officer who was shot, and their families in their thoughts and prayers
The suspect fled the Hyatt and began shooting at officers, injuring one, who then shot back.
Witnesses who were driving in the area told Fox 31 they saw the a police officer confronting the suspect.
'We seen [sic] the guy: he was a tall man, blond hair, with a trench coat,' the witnesses told the station. 'She yelled at him to "put his gun down!" She yelled, "put your gun down" and he turned around and, like, pulled up the gun and shot her right in front of us, multiple times.'
The gunman was finally shot and killed at this location.
'Still unsure exactly if it was by Lakewood police or not but he was then pronounced dead at the scene,' Romero said.
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Department is investigating the specifics behind the gunman's death.
Denver Police Chief Pazen told reporters police are investigating the motive behind the deadly rampage.
'We need to really dig and find out what the motivation behind this was,' Pazen said.
Meanwhile, police say there is no ongoing threat to the community.
'At this point, we do not believe there is any additional safety concern to the community,' added Romero.
Denver reported 6,715 cases of violent crime in 2021, as of October.
The incidents include 95 murders; 1,038 sex offenses; 4,365 cases of aggravated assault; and 1,217 robberies.
Denver reported 6,715 cases of violent crime in 2021, as of October
No comments