CSP: Suspect shot, killed after repeatedly shooting at trooper on US 36

DENVER (KDVR) — A suspect was shot and killed by a Colorado State Patrol trooper after shooting several rounds at their patrol vehicle on U.S. Highway 36 Saturday afternoon.

The incident happened around 1:18 p.m. on the highway just west of Federal Boulevard.

A trooper was in a marked Ford F-150 patrol vehicle in the eastbound center median between two concrete barriers working on paperwork when a suspect drove a black Chevy pickup truck past, shooting several rounds from a semi-automatic handheld gun at the trooper, CSP Chief Col. Matthew Packard said in a press conference Saturday evening. One of those shots hit the trooper in the lower right arm.

CSP said the truck pulled over on the inside shoulder and the suspect got out, shooting additional rounds at the windshield of the patrol vehicle.

That’s when the trooper got out of the patrol vehicle and fired the rifle issued to him, striking the suspect, according to CSP. The suspect, who Packard said is believed to be a Hispanic male, was pronounced dead on the scene.

Packard said the trooper, identified as Cpl. Tye Simcox, self-applied a tourniquet until more troopers arrived on the scene. A fellow trooper took Simcox to a Denver Health hospital, and Packard said he “is on his way home today because of his training and heroism”

“Our member was targeted today by a man that intended to kill him, and that is shocking and unacceptable but our Colorado state trooper responded appropriately, and swiftly, and courageously and he won today. And by winning, not only did he save his own life but he saved the rest of his community from someone that was clearly intending to do evil,” Packard said during the press conference Saturday evening.

As of 8:20 p.m., eastbound US 36 remained closed from Federal Boulevard to Sheridan Boulevard due to the incident.

Gov. Jared Polis released a statement about the incident on Sunday and thanked Simcox on behalf of the state.

“Colorado thanks Cpl. Tye Simcox for his courageous and brave actions to protect himself and our community,” the statement said. “I spoke with Cpl. Simcox yesterday after this alarming incident, we wish him a speedy recovery and thank Tye for his service to our state.”

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