The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office identified the man suspected of shooting and critically injuring a Colorado Springs Police officer early Thursday morning.
Deputies identified the suspect as 31-year-old Karrar Noaman Al Khammasi. Meanwhile, Colorado Springs Police officer Cem Duzel remains in critical condition Thursday afternoon following the shooting. The 5-year-veteran was among officers called to the area of Bonfoy and Boulder Street around 2:45 a.m. for multiple shots fired calls.
Police Chief Pete Carey says Officer Duzel is assigned to the Sand Creek CSPD division as a patrol officer.
According to police radio traffic obtained by News5, there were at least three calls from witnesses in the area who called 911 to report hearing gunshots or seeing a man tuck a pistol in his waistband.
Within ten minutes of officers being sent to the area they reported shots fired and urgently called for medical units as an officer was down. Officers called for the medics to hurry as the officer had suffered a critical gunshot wound.
A short time later, officers on scene reported the suspect was also down and multiple officers had fired their weapons.
Officer Duzel is currently undergoing treatment at UCHealth Memorial. El Paso County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Jackie Kirby described Officer Duzel as being “gravely wounded.”
Per Colorado law, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office is the lead investigating agency for this incident.
There is a heavy police presence near Platte and Union. Eastbound Boulder is closed from Union to Prairie, and westbound Prairie between Platte and St. Vrain is also closed as the Sheriffs Office continues their investigation. Avoid the area.
Calls for prayers for a recovery are coming in from across the city, state and region for Officer Duzel. This year has carried more than enough heartache for law enforcement in Colorado.
- Douglas County Deputy Zackari Parrish was shot and killed on December 31st while trying to take a man into custody for mental health issues.
- Adams County Heath Gumm was shot and killed during a pursuit on January 24th.
- El Paso County Deputy Micah Flick was killed on February 5 while taking part in an auto theft task force operation in Colorado Springs.
Colorado Springs Police officer Cem Duzel is in critical condition this morning following a shooting near Union Blvd and Platte Avenue. The 5-year-veteran was among officers called the area around 2:45 a.m. for multiple shots fired calls.
Police Chief Pete Carey says Officer Duzel is assigned to the Sand Creek CSPD division as a patrol officer.
According to police radio traffic obtained by News5, there were at least three calls from witnesses in the area who called 911 to report hearing gunshots or seeing a man tuck a pistol in his waistband.
Within ten minutes of officers being sent to the area they reported shots fired and urgently called for medical units as an officer was down. Officers called for the medics to hurry as the officer had suffered a critical gunshot wound.
A short time later, officers on scene reported the suspect was also down and multiple officers had fired their weapons.
Officer Duzel is currently undergoing treatment at UCHealth Memorial. El Paso County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Jackie Kirby described Officer Duzel as being “gravely wounded.”
The suspect, whose name has not been released, is also being treated for non-life threatening injuries.
(Below: Condensed Colorado Springs Police Department radio traffic on the shooting calls)
Per Colorado law, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office is the lead investigating agency for this incident. The Sheriff’s office says there is no active threat to the community.
There is a heavy police presence near Platte and Union. Eastbound Boulder is closed from Union to Prairie, and westbound Prairie between Platte and St. Vrain is also closed as the Sheriffs Office continues their investigation. Avoid the area.
