EPSO identifies suspect who allegedly charged officers with knife

(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO) has identified the man killed after he allegedly charged police officers with a knife on the northeast side of Colorado Springs.

According to EPSO, which is the lead investigative agency, 41-year-old Matthew D. Kemper was killed in a shooting involving a member of the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) just before midnight on Oct. 7, in a neighborhood just south of Tutt Boulevard and Stetson Hills Boulevard. EPSO said the initial call to law enforcement stated that a suicidal man was involved in a disturbance with his roommates and was cutting himself.

When officers arrived, they approached Kemper, who allegedly then charged the officers with the knife, resulting in one of the officers firing at him at least once. Officers and AMR provided medical aid before Kemper was taken to the hospital, where he was declared dead.

No bystanders or officers were injured in the incident. Three officers have been placed on administrative leave, per department policy.

EPSO said multiple attempts have been made to contact Kemper’s next-of-kin, but those attempts have not been successful. EPSO is asking members of the community who may know of Kemper’s family or next of kin to contact EPSO’s non-emergent line at (719)390-5555.

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