Colorado Springs Police Shoot, Kill Armed Suspect Near Citadel Mall
A man died after Colorado Springs Task Force officers returned fire on a driver who police say shot at them first near Citadel Mall late Saturday night.
A driver who allegedly opened fire on Colorado Springs police near the Citadel Mall late Saturday night was shot and killed by officers who returned fire, the Colorado Springs Police Department confirmed.
The confrontation unfolded just before 11 p.m. in the 1200 block of North Academy Boulevard, where CSPD Task Force officers and an El Paso County Sheriff's deputy approached a vehicle occupied by a man and a woman. The woman complied and stepped out of the car. The male driver refused to follow officers' commands, allegedly attempting to drive away before the vehicle became stuck.
Police say the driver then fired at least one shot at officers. Three CSPD officers responded with gunfire, striking the suspect. Emergency medical aid was administered on the scene before crews arrived and transported the man to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The woman in the vehicle was interviewed at the scene. Investigators are examining her possible involvement in the incident. The El Paso County Sheriff's deputy present during the encounter did not discharge his weapon, according to CSPD.
The El Paso County Sheriff's Office has been asked to lead the independent investigation into the shooting, consistent with standard interagency protocol for officer-involved cases in the region. Investigators will secure and process the scene, collect body-camera and other video footage, and submit evidence for forensic analysis. Prosecutors will ultimately review the findings to determine whether the use of force complied with Colorado and local law.
CSPD framed the incident on social media as involving an exchange of gunfire and characterized it as arising from proactive enforcement. How officers identified and selected the vehicle for approach is expected to become a focal point of the investigation, alongside questions about whether departmental use-of-force policies were followed.
Authorities are asking anyone with information or video footage related to the incident to contact investigators as the probe continues.
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