LAKEWOOD, Colo. — The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office identified the man shot and killed by Lakewood police officers Monday morning near W. Florida Ave. and S. Harlan Street.
John Luce, 22, died from multiple gunshot wounds, the coroner’s release states. The shooting occurred around 11:30 a.m. in the 1500 block of S. Harlan Street. No officers were injured.
Police told Denver7 that they went to a home on Harlan around 11 a.m. after receiving information a man with several outstanding warrants was there. In a news release, spokesman Paul Osckel said that Luce was in the home, and that the residents invited officers in. Police said that when officers went inside, Luce climbed from a basement window into the backyard.
Osckel said an officer had been placed in the backyard in case the suspect ran from the home. Osckel said Luce had a gun in his hand and that the 22-year-old "refused several commands to drop the weapon." The officers then fired several shots at the suspect, though it's unclear how many times Luce was hit.
A spokesperson said earlier in the day Luce likely did not fire the weapon he was carrying. It's unclear Luce pointed the weapon at officers. The spokesperson said only one officer fired their weapon.
The name of the officer and the name of the suspect have not been released.
This is at least the 58th police shooting so far this year in Colorado.
