Police: Officer shot, suspect killed after reaching for officer’s gun

DENVER ( KDVR ) — A man is dead and an officer was injured in a shooting early Wednesday morning in Thornton .

The shooting took place near Thornton Parkway and Gale Boulevard outside of an apartment complex. The area is west of Interstate 25 near Federal Heights.

According to the Thornton Police Department, at 3:30 a.m., officers contacted an adult man who was believed to be connected to an assault at a nearby gas station. Officers approached the man at Thornton Parkway and Gale Boulevard when police said a physical struggle ensued.

Thornton police said the suspect grabbed for the officer’s gun in its holster and the officer struggled to retain his weapon.

During the struggle, police said the officer was shot and suffered a serious, but non-life-threatening injury.

Another Thornton officer on scene shot the suspect who was pronounced dead on scene.

For several hours, the intersection of West Thornton Parkway and Gale Boulevard was shut down. It has since reopened.

Nearby residents recount incident

A witness said he heard sirens and then saw the commotion.

“I heard a gunshot and then I heard various gunshots,” Adalberto Rojas said.

Rojas lives at the apartment complex next to where the shooting happened. He said he was watching from his kitchen window.

“There was a person on the ground. The police arrived and gave him CPR,” Rojas said.

The shooting upset a lot of people who live nearby.

“It’s just crazy. Who tries to reach for a police officer’s gun?” Bryce Gallegos said.

A mother said she was very concerned.

“I just think it’s scary because of all the kids that come out here and play all the time. Every day we have kids playing and riding bikes out here,” Sarah Speth said.

Several children came by during the day to see where the man was killed.

“I just think it’s kind of scary because it hits so close to home. Right here, it could happen anywhere. Anytime,” Alexis Martinez said.

The man who was killed has not been identified.

FOX31 has learned the officer who shot the suspect is a first-year officer.

The investigation will be turned over to the 17th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team. The officer who fired his weapon will be placed on administrative leave per protocol.

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