By Tillie Fong
The Rocky Mountain News
DENVER — A state parole officer shot and killed a man at a Denver multifamily house Tuesday night.
The victim, who was not identified, was transported by ambulance to Denver Health Medical Center. He was pronounced dead a short time later.
The shooting occurred shortly before 9:15 p.m. at a home in the 1700 block of Emerson Street.
“A parole officer called in he had shot someone,” said Lt. Ron Saunier, spokesman for Denver police.
CBS4 News reported that the parole officer and the victim had a confrontation that led to gunfire.
It was not clear what caused the fight or if anyone else was at the home at the time.
Police said it appeared the victim had a weapon, but it was unclear if he attempted to use it on the officer, according to CBS4.
Saunier said he did not know how many times the victim was shot.
It also was not known late Tuesday if the victim was a parolee.
“It will come out in the investigation,” said Saunier. “Parole officers routinely check on parolees, but we’re not sure if that is what was occurring here or not.”
The parole officer, who was not identified Tuesday night, was taken to Denver police headquarters for an interview.
The shooting is being investigated by the Denver homicide bureau. Officials with the Colorado Department of Corrections said they also will follow up on the incident.
“Everything is under investigation,” said Katherine Sanguinetti, DOC spokeswoman.
“We will follow the standard law enforcement protocol. At this point, the Denver police (department) is taking the lead on the investigation.”
Sanguinetti said it is rare for a parole officer to be involved in a shooting.
“It’s been 15 years since this has occurred,” she said.
Copyright 2008 The Rocky Mountain News