A Lakewood police officer was killed and three other officers were wounded in a shooting Thursday evening. A civilian was also wounded, and the suspected shooter is dead.
Lakewood police were called around 6:30 p.m. to the area of Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard, where a suspicious person had been reported. Officers found a man trying to board a bus. Police spokesman John Romero said at a news conference that the suspect opened fire and hit four officers.
Police shot the suspect, who was pronounced dead at the scene. According to police, he was a man wanted in connection with an earlier hit-and-run. He was spotted as he boarded the bus.
The transit agency RTD said the shooting took place on a bus operated under contract for RTD on Route 76 in Lakewood. The police spokesman was not sure whether the shots were fired inside the bus or just in front of it. RTD noted that there are currently no service disruptions.
Police did not release the names of the slain officer or the wounded. They also did not disclose the suspect’s identity. The First Judicial Critical Incident Response Team will investigate, which is standard procedure. Police said more information would be released Friday.
A salute and police procession for the fallen officer began at 10:21 p.m. in front of Denver Health hospital. Gov. Jared Polis wrote that he was saddened by the news of the Lakewood officer’s death.
Source: Denver Post, 9News, Denverite
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