COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – A car theft suspect was seriously injured after exchanging gunfire with a police officer in Colorado Springs, a spokesperson with the police department said Monday.
Officers say an anti-auto theft task force responded to reports of a stolen vehicle in the area of E. Kiowa Street and N. Union Boulevard just before 8 a.m. Monday. With the help of witnesses, members of that task force tracked the reportedly stolen vehicle to West Uintah St. and Terrace Road – about two and-a-half miles northwest from where officers first responded to, according to a news release.
Officers were able to find the vehicle and gave the driver several verbal commands to get out of the car, but the suspect failed to comply and ran into a residential area on West High Point Lane with a weapon, the release states.
When officers tried to contact the suspect, the man fired at least one shot. An officer with the Fountain Police Department then fired at least one shot in return which struck the suspect, who was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. He was listed in serious condition as of 3 p.m. Monday.
No officers were injured during the exchange of gunfire, the department said.
Police said an alert for residents in the area to shelter in place was sent out but canceled 40 mins. later.
The officer involved in the shooting was placed on administrative leave per department policy. The Colorado Spring Police Department’s Deadly Force Investigation Team will be in charge of the officer-involved shooting investigation, the department said.
This is the third officer-involved shooting in Colordo Springs so far this year, according to data compiled by Denver7.
Police are still looking for witnesses who may have seen anything. You’re asked to call the Colorado Springs Police Department at (719) 444-7000; or if you wish to remain anonymous, you may call the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at (719) 634-7867 or 1-800-222-8477.
