DENVER – Officers shot and killed a person near 8th Avenue and Zuni Street in Denver on Monday after the person allegedly stole a police officer’s car as the officer tried to contact the person in regard to an attempted carjacking.
While police initially said the person who was shot was transported to an area hospital, Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen said at an afternoon news conference the person died at the scene of the shooting. The person’s gender has not been revealed.
Pazen said one officer tried to stop the person after an attempted carjacking near 6th Ave. and Santa Fe. He said that as the officer was outside their car and chasing the person on foot, the person doubled back and got into the police car, then took off.
Other officers chased the suspect around the area, Pazen said. He said it was possible that the suspect was pointing a police-issued rifle that was in the car at people near 6th Ave. and Federal Blvd.
Eventually, the suspect ended up near 8th Ave. and Zuni and was shot by officers. The suspect died at the scene.
Pazen said that the shooting would be investigated by Aurora police, the Denver District Attorney’s Office and the office of the independent monitor, as is the case with all Denver police shootings. He said that investigation would also look into what happened that led to the suspect stealing the officer’s vehicle.
Pazen said he didn’t know if the suspect shot at officers or not.
DPD said to expect a large police presence in the area of 8th and Zuni on Monday afternoon. Police said 8th Ave. was closed from Zuni to Wyandott. Drivers can exit I-25 but cannot go southbound on Zuni. Police are advising drivers to avoid the area.
Pazen asked anyone who witnesses the original ordeal, had a gun pointed at them during the case or saw the police shooting to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP.
This is the 54th police shooting in Colorado so far this year.
This is a developing news story and will be updated.
