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Bob Wooley
bwooley@coloradocommunitymedia.com
A man carrying and allegedly firing a shotgun in the area of West 29th Avenue and Sheridan Boulevard was shot and killed by Wheat Ridge Police Jan. 6.
Police were dispatched to the area at approximately 1:41 p.m. after receiving multiple reports of an adult male carrying the weapon on West 29th Avenue near Ames Street, according to Wheat Ridge Spokesperson Sara Spaulding. Wheat Ridge police officers who were already near the scene also witnessed the man firing the gun as he walked toward Sheridan Boulevard, Spaulding said in the press release.
Spaulding said as police converged on the area, the man stopped in the intersection of 29th and Sheridan and challenged police on multiple occasions while brandishing his shotgun.
At that point, Wheat Ridge Police officers shot the man, who was then pronounced dead at the scene, Spaulding said.
Wheat Ridge Police Division Chief Darrel Guadnola said there will be an investigation into the shooting.
“While our officers responded to protect the lives of commuters and residents this afternoon, an incident that results in the loss of life is felt deeply by everyone involved,” Guadnola said. “As required by our policy, all the involved officers will be placed on administrative leave during the investigation and will be provided with counseling and peer support as is routine in these situations.”
The investigation will be coordinated by the First Judicial District’s Critical Incident Response Team.
Several other law enforcement agencies including Arvada, Lakewood, Denver and Edgewater Police Departments and the Jeffco Sheriff’s Office responded to assist with the incident.
The suspect has not been identified at this time. This is a developing story.