PUEBLO – The Pueblo Police Department has released body-cam footage from a deadly officer-involved shooting last year.
The suspect, 35-year-old Joe Delira-Alires, was shot more than 30 times and died on scene.
The incident happened back on January 22nd, 2018, when officers were dispatched to a home–where a woman (who identified herself as Delira-Alires’ “ex”) said the suspect was threatening her and her children–and firing shots into the air, just outside here home.
For more information on that initial call, click here.
No one was injured at that location, but Delira-Alires left the scene–leading officers on a high-speed chase across the east side of Pueblo.
During the chase, Delira-Alires avoided several attempts to end the pursuit before an officer used the Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) to disable the vehicle.
“In this case, it was a serious situation from the beginning, where the suspect was firing rounds during a disturbance on the east side of town. Right away, we knew there were high stakes,” said Captain Kenny Rider, with the Pueblo Police Department.
Delira-Alires took off on foot, gun in hand, near West 13th and Craig Street.
As documented in the District Attorney’s findings in late 2018, Delira-Alires fired several shots at officers as he ran into an alley.
Officers quickly returned fire–125 shots in all.
“They all felt the same danger at the same time, and they all fired their weapons–which is why there was such a high number of rounds,” Captain Rider said, referencing the eight officers involved in the shooting.
Rider says the officers had a split second decision to make–and it was the right one.”
“It’s not a situation where you go down the line and you say ‘you’re going to fire, you’re not. You’re going to fire, you’re not.’ They each experienced that threat at the exact same time.”
Medical attention was administered, but Delira-Alires was pronounced dead on scene shortly after.
This was one of six officer-involved shootings, in Pueblo, in 2018.
“It’s an eye opener. I know that every time they come onto a shift, they’re thinking about that. The risk is real and it’s dangerous,” said Rider.
All eight of those officers were awarded the Medal of Valor, in December of 2018.
“It’s kind of a somber moment knowing the things you have to do to get this award,” said Officer Michael Bellamy.
“But being able to make sure we do our job properly and go home safe at the end of the night back to our family makes me grateful.”
The officers were initially put on administrative leave following the incident, per protocol, but have all since returned to work.
