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Officer Killed, Three Wounded in Colorado Bus ShootingWorld
A police officer was killed and three others were wounded when a gunman opened fire near a public bus in Lakewood, Colorado. The suspect was shot dead and a civilian was also hurt.
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According to Lakewood police spokesperson John Romero, officers responded to reports of a suspicious person attempting to board a bus near West Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard at about 6:30pm. The suspect opened fire within seconds of officers arriving, striking four officers. One of them later died of his injuries, while the other three were taken to local hospitals. Police said in an update on Friday that the three surviving officers were in stable condition.
Officers returned fire and killed the suspect at the scene. A civilian was also injured during the shooting and was taken to hospital for treatment. The identities of the officer who died, the wounded officers, the suspect and the injured civilian had not been released.
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Authorities said the gunman was also believed to have been involved in a hit-and-run incident earlier on Thursday. The Regional Transportation District (RTD) confirmed the shooting took place aboard an RTD contracted-operated bus servicing Route 76 in Lakewood, and said it was cooperating with investigators.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis said he was heartbroken to learn of the officer’s death and expressed concern for the other victims. The Jefferson County Critical Incident Response Team is leading the investigation into the officer-involved shooting, with support from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
Police have asked the public to avoid the area while the investigation continues, and said further details would be released as they become available.
The intersection where the shooting happened, West Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard, lies about five miles west of downtown Denver. A witness, Patrick Dickman, told CBS Colorado that a car had rear-ended an RTD bus before he heard 13 shots.
Police said on Thursday night that they could not yet confirm whether the shots were fired aboard the bus or beside it, while RTD said the shooting occurred aboard the bus. RTD said in a statement that it was deeply concerned by the shooting aboard its contracted-operated bus servicing Route 76 in Lakewood, and that its personnel responded immediately and were cooperating fully with the Lakewood Police Department. RTD chief executive Debra Johnson said the agency’s thoughts were with the victims and with everyone affected by the shooting, including fellow customers, the bus operator and RTD response staff.
Some of the wounded officers were taken to Denver Health, where one of them later died of his injuries. Police said additional information about the shooting was expected on Friday, and the investigation remains under way.
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