PUEBLO, Colo. — The Pueblo Police Department released body-worn camera footage showing a search for a homicide suspect that led to the ambush shootings of three officers at three separate times, including one who was shot in the head, according to a critical incident release.
The March 18 incident began when officers launched a search for a suspect on the FBI Southern Colorado Safe Streets Taskforce’s Wanted Criminal list because of an attempted homicide warrant, according to the department.
When two officers arrived in the search area, the suspect walked by on a sidewalk, armed with a rifle. He immediately began firing shots at them as they parked their cruisers, dash camera footage released on Nov. 13 shows.
The man fired 27 shots at the officers within 8 seconds, according to the department. One of the officers was struck in the head by the gunfire and incapacitated, and the suspect fled the scene on foot.
Body camera video from the wounded officer shows he had put the car in park seconds before he was struck by gunfire through his windshield.
The second officer started rendering aid to the first officer. A bystander, who was an Army veteran, assisted the officer in rendering aid, allowing the officer to communicate details to dispatch.
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Officers from multiple agencies in the surrounding area responded to the scene and established a perimeter and an incident command post, according to the department.
Officers continued to search the area for the suspect as the wounded officer was transported to a hospital.
A group of officers were working to open what appeared to be a backyard gate when they encountered the suspect approximately 40 minutes later, body camera shows. The officers can be seen standing in front of a wooden fence when shots ring out. A muzzle flash can be seen from behind a fence.
The officers appeared unsure of where the shots came from and could not tell where the suspect had gone as they called for an ambulance and dragged the wounded officer to safety. One officer asked if a drone was on the way to assist in the search.
About 11 minutes later, officers encountered the suspect a third time. An officer was using his flashlight to alert the arriving drone unit to their location when another shot can be heard ringing out.
“Oh s***, I’ve been hit,” the officer can be heard saying.
Officers were able to pinpoint the suspect’s location as he shot and wounded the third officer. As teams from the Pueblo Police Department and the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office moved into position, the suspect began shooting again.
Officers returned fire, striking the suspect. They rendered medical aid, but the suspect was declared deceased at the scene.
The Pueblo County Office of the District Attorney has since released its review of the incident. The DA’s office found that all officers and deputies were justified in their enforcement actions.
All three officers have since been released from the hospital.
