Deputy injured while serving search warrant in Elizabeth, suspect dead

DENVER ( KDVR ) — A man was killed and a deputy was shot and injured Tuesday morning after authorities attempted to serve a search warrant at an apartment complex in Elizabeth.

A shelter-in-place order was issued by the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office at around 9 a.m. The Elizabeth Police Department asked the public to avoid the area near the Fitzgerald Apartments at 175 Spruce St.

Those impacted should have received a Code Red notice advising them to stay indoors or go inside if they were outdoors, according to the town’s website. The town hall was closed for business but opened for people who needed a place to take shelter.

The town of Elizabeth provided an update just before 11:30 a.m. stating that the incident was “resolved” and the shelter-in-place was lifted.

Elizabeth Police Department Chief Jeff Engel told FOX31’s Vicente Arenas that the incident started when the sheriff’s office and SWAT team served a warrant for a man on behalf of the police department.

“Upon serving the search warrant, there was an exchange of gunfire between deputies and the occupant of the residence,” Engel said.

One officer was hit in the soft plate of their ballistic vest and was evaluated by medical personnel on the scene for minor injuries.

“As we approached to serve the warrant on this location, we did a surrounding of the building, and as they approached the door, the door was opened and the shots were fired,” said Tim Norton, the Elbert County Sheriff.

Norton said once shots were fired, officers worked to evacuate those in the surrounding area and called for additional help. While waiting for crews from Douglas County to arrive, they attempted to use tear gas.

“Once they got the additional equipment and were inside, they were able to determine that one male subject was down on the floor,” Norton said.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Engel said incidents like these are a rare occurrence in Elizabeth.

“It may not happen very often, which we’re very thankful for, but we have to be ready and prepared for it,” Engel said.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

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