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Suspect Killed In Cortez Standoff
Sheriff: Suspect May Have Taken His Own Life
POSTED: 10:42 am MDT August 25, 2009
UPDATED: 5:55 pm MDT August 25, 2009
CORTEZ, Colo. -- Colorado authorities say a suspected robber in a 17-hour standoff during which a sheriff's deputy suffered a minor gunshot wound has been found dead in his home in Cortez in southwest Colorado. The Montezuma County Sheriff's Department has identified the suspect as 53-year-old Joseph Karjanik. Sheriff Gerald Wallace said Karjanik was found dead when officers entered his house at about 12:45 p.m. Tuesday."We discovered (Karjanik) inside the home," Wallace told the Cortez Journal, who added that several firearms were found inside the man's residence. "It's unknown whether (he died) from a suicide or gunfire exchanged (over the) night."
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation has taken over the scene. Authorities say the standoff started Monday night when deputies tried to serve warrants on Karjanik following a holdup at an area liquor store.Law enforcement officers obtained a warrant for Karjanick's arrest and went to his home, where he refused to surrender, deputies said.The Montezuma County SWAT team deployed tear gas into his residence and he started shooting at officers, the sheriff's office said. One deputy was grazed by a bullet and received minor injuries.The deputy was treated and released from the hospital.Montezuma County is located in the Four Corners area of southwestern Colorado.
Copyright 2009 by TheDenverChannel.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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