US officer shot dead in Colorado, manhunt to track suspects begins – Report says
An Adams County, Colo. police officer who was shot in Thornton on Wednesday night has died, and a manhunt was reportedly underway for as many as two suspect.
One suspect was in custody, Denver7 News reported, citing a law enforcement source“Officer down, please avoid the area of 88th and Dawston Street,” the Adams County Sheriff’s Office tweeted. “Large perimeter with suspect still at large.”
In a follow-up tweet, the department described a “large dangerous scene with active searches in progress.”
“Tonight we watched as a community was on edge and a sheriff’s deputy was shot while responding to a call in Adams County,” Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper said in a statement.
“We are deeply saddened to learn that the deputy has died from injuries sustained in the shooting. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office and the family and friends of the deputy killed. The investigation is ongoing and authorities continue to work to restore calm to the area.”
“Officers walking around with rifles drawn,” a reporter posted on Twitter. “Deputy just told us ‘guys careful I was just pointing my rifle at you thinking you had a gun.'”
A Walmart employee near the shooting reportedly told reporters that doors at the store were locked as the manhunt continued.
The fatal shooting comes less than a month after a Douglas County, Colo., deputy was killed and several others were wounded in an ambush-style shooting.
This is a developing story. Fox News contributed to this report