DENVER — A man shot by Denver police officers, who investigators say was threatening officers with a knife Wednesday night, has died
In a press conference Wednesday evening, Division Chief Ron Thomas said officers initially responded to a call for a stabbing in the area of Federal Boulevard and Vassar Avenue just before 7 p.m. When they arrived on scene, there was a man who displayed a knife.
According to Thomas, the man began advancing towards the officers. Officers made several commands for the man to drop the knife, but he continued.
An officer deployed a pepper ball at the man, and shortly after another officer deployed a Taser, but the man continued to advance towards the officers, police say.
At that time, one officer fired his weapon multiple times, hitting and injuring the man. He was taken to Denver Health Medical Center where he listed in critical condition. By Thursday morning, police said he was pronounced deceased.
No officers or members of the public were hurt. It was determined the individual was cutting himself in the original call for the stabbing, police say.
The officer who fired his weapon and another officer present at the time were taken to police headquarters to be interviewed as part of a multi-agency investigation into use of force. The investigation will then be presented to the district attorney for review.
The investigation has Federal Boulevard shut down in both directions at Harvard Avenue. The department advised drivers to find alternate routes in the area.
The man was later identified as 52-year-old Raul Rosas-Zarsosa.
