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Theft suspect who died after being shot by Westminster police identified

Posted at 4:06 PM, Aug 05, 2018
and last updated 2018-08-05 18:06:29-04

WESTMINSTER, Colo. – A man who died after he was shot by a Westminster Police officer Thursday afternoon has been identified.

Michael Gonzales, 57, of Denver, was one of two theft suspects who fled the scene of the crime after police got a call of a theft in progress at a store in the 118000 block of Sheridan Blvd.

Gonzales, who fled in a car, led police of a chase and eventually drove the vehicle he was in toward an officer who was outside his patrol car, according to the police department.

That officer then fired at Gonzales, who died after he was taken to Good Samaritan Medical Center for treatment.

The cause and manner of death are under investigation, Monica Broncucia-Jordan, the Chief Coroner in Adams County, said in a press release on Sunday.

The second suspect, 44-year-old Jousha Valencia is facing a theft charge for the crime.

The 17th Judicial District Critical Incident Team is investigating the police shooting.