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Shooter of DPD Sgt. Tony Lopez Jr., Jason Wood, takes plea deal

Sentencing will be next Friday, June 17
Posted at 3:04 PM, Jun 10, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-10 23:07:56-04

The suspect accused of shooting Denver Police Sgt. Tony Lopez Jr. during a traffic stop last year took a plea deal in the case Friday afternoon. 

Jason Wood, 36, a person described as "extremely dangerous to the community, including people who wear badges and guns," confessed to the the crimes of attempted murder and aggravated robbery three days after the shooting, which nearly killed Lopez Jr.

RELATED: Denver Police officer Tony Lopez Jr. meets paramedics who saved his life

At the time of the traffic stop, Wood was wanted on a warrant for a Sept. 30, 2015, home-invasion robbery in Denver, according to police. 

Investigators believe Wood shot Lopez Jr. moments after Lopez pulled Wood's car over near the area of 38th and Federal Boulevard. Investigators believe the suspect fired shots almost immediately after being pulled over. Police still don’t know what prompted Lopez to pull over the driver.

A female suspect fled from the vehicle during the shootout. She turned herself days later.

-- A long criminal history -- 

Denver7's review of court and arrest records found Wood has a violent criminal history: 

September 1997 -- Wood is  arrested by Northglenn police on homicide and aggravated assault charges after a motorist said Wood shot at his car from another vehicle. Wood, who was a passenger in the car, and his girlfriend, who was driving, denied any involvement in the shooting. Police found a bullet under Wood's car seat, but he had no evidence of gunshot residue on him, so he wasn't charged.

November 1997 -- He's again arrested in Northglenn for residential burglary and felony theft. He pleads guilty to the lesser charge of criminal trespass and is sentenced to 18 months in the Department of Corrections.

September 1998 -- He's arrested in Lafayette for felony assault and felony menacing with a deadly weapon. In January 1999, he pleads guilty to the lesser offense of misdemeanor assault and is sentenced 90 days in jail.

May 1999 -- He's accused of escaping from a felony conviction in Adams County. He pleads guilty to attempted escape and is sentenced to 1 year in the Department of Corrections.

November 1999 -- He's arrested in Northglenn for carrying a concealed weapon and reporting false identification information to authorities. He pleads guilty to perjury and is sentenced to six months in jail.

October 2001 -- He's arrested in Denver for parole violation and returned to the Department of Corrections in April 2002.

March 2002 -- He's arrested in Denver for obstructing police, resisting arrest, carrying a concealed weapon and driving with license under restraint. He pleads no contest -- which legally carries the same weight as a guilty plea -- and is sentenced to 30 days in jail.

March 2002 -- He's arrested by Commerce City police for kidnapping and felony menacing. He pleads guilty to menacing in March 2003 and is sentenced to 15 months in the Department of Corrections.

June 2011 -- He's arrested in Westminster for weapon possession by a previous offender and weapon offense/reckless with gun. He pleads guilty to the lesser offense of misdemeanor illegal weapon possession and is sentenced to one year of probation.

Sept. 30, 2015 – Home-invasion robbery in Denver. The suspect faces an aggravated robbery in that case.

Dec. 8, 2015 – Officer Tony Lopez Jr. is repeatedly shot during a traffic stop on Federal Boulevard. Police say after he shot the officer, the suspect fled and carjacked a vehicle at a nearby bank. He was arrested after a brief police chase at 20th and Chestnut.

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