A Lakewood, Colorado police officer died and three other officers were wounded Thursday night after a suspect opened fire near an RTD bus, igniting a gunfight that also injured a bystander.
Story Snapshot
- Four Lakewood police officers were shot near West Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard; one died at a hospital.
- Police say the suspect opened fire as officers approached him near a Regional Transportation District (RTD) bus; officers shot and killed the suspect.
- A bystander was also injured, though officials have not said how that injury happened.
- Names of the officers and the suspect had not been released as of initial reports.
- A procession later honored the fallen officer as the Lakewood Police Department brought in outside agencies to cover patrols.
Officers Approach Suspect Near Bus Stop
Lakewood Police Public Information Officer John Romero told reporters that officers responded to a call about a suspicious person trying to board an RTD bus. When officers approached the man, he opened fire, and officers fired back. The exchange happened near the busy intersection of West Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard.
One officer died at a hospital. Three others were shot and survived, with their conditions described as stable or injured. CBS News Colorado and UPI both confirmed the same count of four wounded officers, matching Romero’s account at the scene.
Gunfire Sends Crowds Running
A witness who spoke to FOX31 described a “barrage of gunfire” during the shootout. The witness said a red car crashed into the bus during the chaos, cracking a windshield. People scattered and took cover as shots rang out near the busy intersection.
Police killed the suspect during the exchange of gunfire. A bystander was also hurt, but officials have not said what caused that injury or whether it came from police fire, the suspect’s gun, or the car crash described by witnesses.
Key Details Still Unreleased
Lakewood police had not released the names of the officers or the suspect in the hours after the shooting. That silence is common in the earliest stage of a police shooting investigation, but it limits the public’s ability to check backgrounds, prior encounters, or a possible motive right away.
News reports also varied slightly on where exactly the suspect was when shooting began. Some described a gunfight involving the bus itself, while others said the suspect was attempting to board it. Lakewood police have not yet issued a detailed timeline resolving that difference.
Department Response and Community Reaction
Lakewood police asked the public to avoid the area while investigators worked the scene. The department also arranged for neighboring agencies to temporarily cover regular patrol duties so investigators could focus on the shooting scene and the officers involved.
A procession paid tribute to a Lakewood Police agent killed in a shooting on a RTD bus Thursday evening.
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A procession later honored the officer who died, with bagpipes playing as his body was transported. Colorado lawmakers, including state officials representing the Lakewood area, offered condolences to the officer’s family and the department. The shooting remains under investigation, and a fuller account of the sequence of events, including body-camera footage and ballistics findings, is expected as that investigation continues.
Sources:
facebook.com, coloradosun.com, abcnews.com, cbsnews.com, cnn.com
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