A police officer was killed and four others were shot after responding to a disturbance near Denver, according to reports.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that five deputies in all were shot, one fatally.
#Breaking: we just heard gunshots in the distance. Police are now closing Colorado at otero. We are moving to the media staging area. @DenverChannel pic.twitter.com/7sZi7LjBiP
— Meghan Lopez (@Meghan_Lopez) December 31, 2017
Two civilians “were also shot by [the] suspect,” the office tweeted on Sunday morning, adding that the suspect is “shot and believed to be dead,” and he is “no longer a threat.”
**Copper Canyon OIS Update**- Deputies responded to a domestic disturbance resulting in shots fired. 5 deputies shot by suspect. 1 deputy confirmed deceased. 2 civilians also shot by suspect. Suspect shot & believed to be dead & no longer a threat. #CopperCanyonOIS
— DC Sheriff (@dcsheriff) December 31, 2017
The officers and civilians were shot at the Copper Canyon apartments in Highlands Ranch early Sunday morning. The conditions of the four other officers and civilians are not known.
The sheriff’s office told 11 News earlier that the situation is “not looking good for us.”
Steven Silknitter, who lives in the apartment complex, told the Denver Post that he was working when he heard about the shooting.
“She was pretty scared,” Silknitter said, referring to his fiance, who was there. “She kept saying how loud it was.”
According to the Post, one of the injured officers is the son of Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle.
The office said earlier that people should avoid the area, and residents were told to shelter in place and avoid windows and exterior walls.
UPDATE 0513 this morning deputies responded to he Copper Canyon Apartments for a Domestic Disturbance. During the Investigation, shots were fired and multiple deputies were injured. No status on the deputies and no status on civilian injuries. Please avoid this area.
— DC Sheriff (@dcsheriff) December 31, 2017
UPDATE, we have multiple deputies down, no update on their status. The scene remains active and please avoid the area.
— DC Sheriff (@dcsheriff) December 31, 2017
A Code Red was sent out regarding this incident. Any citizens in the affected area are instructed to shelter in place, avoid windows and stay away from exterior walls. pic.twitter.com/RgutCEqgJA
— DC Sheriff (@dcsheriff) December 31, 2017
The FBI office in Denver said it’s ready to provide support to the sheriff’s office.
.@FBIDenver has been monitoring the events that occurred this morning and have offered our full support to @dcsheriff. Our thoughts and prayers are with our law enforcement partners and all those impacted by today’s senseless act of violence.
— FBI Denver (@FBIDenver) December 31, 2017
Footage from the scene showed a number of police cars, ambulances, and other officials.
