Lakewood officer killed in bus stop gunfight; three others wounded
The shooting occurred Thursday evening near Colfax and Wadsworth, leaving a civilian injured and the suspect dead.
By Takeshi Faure ·
Four Lakewood Police Department officers were shot on Thursday evening, one of whom died from their injuries. The incident unfolded near the intersection of Colfax and Wadsworth, roughly five miles west of downtown Denver.
Police responded to the area around 6:30 p.m. local time after receiving a report of a suspicious person. Officers believed the individual might have been involved in a hit-and-run earlier that day. When law enforcement arrived, the suspect was in the process of boarding a Regional Transportation District bus.
John Romero, the public information officer for the Lakewood Police Department, told reporters that the suspect opened fire within seconds of the officers approaching. "A gunfight ensued," Romero said. The suspect was killed in the exchange. A civilian was also injured, though Romero noted the circumstances of that injury were unclear at the time of the press conference.
All four officers were transported to area hospitals. One officer did not survive, while the conditions of the three wounded officers were not immediately released. Identities for the victims and the suspect had not been made public as of the evening update.
The Jefferson County Critical Incident Response Team is leading the investigation into the officer-involved shooting. Romero stated that the department's immediate focus is on the family of the fallen officer and the remaining staff. "We just want the family to know that we love them, that we're here for them," he said. He emphasized that the Lakewood Police Department is a family and will support one another.
Governor Jared Polis expressed his condolences on social media, calling the event a heartbreak for the state. "Law enforcement put their lives on the line for our safety every day," Polis wrote. The RTD transportation service also issued a statement regarding the shooting on their Route 76 bus. They described their deep concern for those affected and affirmed that the safety of customers and employees remains their highest priority.
By Friday morning, the Lakewood Police Department announced that neighboring agencies would assist with patrols. Police said residents would see vehicles and uniforms from other departments in the area. This support is intended to allow Lakewood officers and staff the space to grieve and heal.
