Denver Post
WESTMINISTER, Colo. — The two bank robbery suspects killed in a shootout with Westminster police Thursday were identified as two Loveland residents.
Killed were Christian Benshoof, 35, who was shot multiple times, with the fatal bullet hitting has upper chest and head, according to Adams County coroner Jim Hibbard.
Also killed was Ashley Johnson, who was also hit multiple times. She was killed by a bullet to the chest, said Hibbard.
Benshoof was identified as a white male while Johnson was described as a African-American female.
Both lived in Loveland, said Hibbard.
Hibbard said that the couple were common law wife and husband.
In the meantime, authorities said that Westminster Police Officer Sean Chandler, wounded in an exchange of gunfire with the couple, is in good condition at St. Anthony Central.
“Sean is doing well,” said Westminster police spokesman Trevor Materasso said today. “He is in really good spirits.”
Materasso said he wasn’t sure when Chandler, who was wounded in the hip, will be released from the hospital.
Two officers were wounded in the shootout with the two suspects at West 120th and Federal Boulevard about noon Thursday.
The other officer, deputy chief Tim Carlson, was grazed by a bullet and did not require hospitalization. He was treated at the scene.
The FBI says the two were not suspects in any other bank robberies.
Two members of the Adams County district attorney’s office are involved in the multi-agency “shoot team” which will investigate the incident, according to Krista Flannigan, spokeswoman for district attorney Don Quick.
Flannigan said that once the team completes its investigation, a report will be submitted to the Westminster police chief.
Copyright 2009 Denver Post