By Rocky Mountain News
DENVER, Colo. — Three officers were injured in a gunfight at a DUI checkpoint Thursday night near 10th Avenue and Federal Boulevard in Denver.
A gunman, who fired a a handgun at the officers, was shot, police said.
At 10:45 p.m., three ambulances transported the officers to Denver Health Medical. Their conditions were not considered life-threatening.
Police established a command center near 13th Avenue and Federal and closed off eastbound streets to allow faster access to the hospital.
Officers were interviewing witnesses at a 7-11 at 10th and Federal.
The three — including an Arapahoe County deputy, a State Patrol trooper and a Denver police officer — were staffing the first checkpoint of the Metro DUI Task Force, comprised of seven local law enforcement agencies. The jurisdiction of the third officer was unclear late Thursday.
Officers from Denver, Northglenn and Wheat Ridge police departments, as well as deputies from Arapahoe, Douglas and Jefferson counties were expected to work together alongside Colorado State Patrol troopers.
“What we hope to accomplish here is significant public awareness...It’s a stark reminder to everybody out there that this is not a good time to be driving intoxicated,” Denver police captain Eric Rubin said Tuesday when the task force was announced.
The saturation patrol was cancelled for the evening after the shooting.
Copyright 2007 Rocky Mountain News