Pueblo, CO – An officer-involved shooting in Downtown Colorado Springs on Monday afternoon resulted in the death of a suspect and led to significant traffic disruptions in the area. The incident, which occurred on Pikes Peak Avenue between Nevada Avenue and Weber Street, prompted a large police presence and an ongoing investigation.
According to Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) spokesperson Caitlin Ford, officers responded to a call at approximately 2:21 p.m. regarding a male suspect who was allegedly breaking into vehicles and threatening a community member with a firearm. Officers attempted to make contact with the suspect, who was inside a vehicle at the time. When the suspect exited the vehicle holding a firearm, one officer fired at least one round, striking the suspect.
The shooting occurred in a parking lot located off Pikes Peak Avenue, near the intersection with Nevada Avenue, leaving many commuters stranded in the area. For hours, traffic was blocked off as authorities investigated the scene, and pedestrians were rerouted as the investigation unfolded.
“I work just across the street here,” said Alex Sullivan, a local worker who was caught in the aftermath of the shooting. “This is probably the first time this has happened.”
For many, the shooting left more questions than answers. Witnesses on the scene, including photographer Cameron Neptune, expressed their shock at the police presence. “We came out here to take some pictures, just local, and we just saw a bunch of cop cars. There were too many cops to be just something normal,” Neptune said.
While the shooting caused significant disruption to daily life in the area, some residents expressed understanding of the situation. Sullivan, who had to wait for police escorts to retrieve his car, reflected on the event with a sense of gratitude. “If it’s an inconvenience, that’s far better than what it could be,” he said. “I’m in great shape to be honest with you, I’m grateful for where I’m at.”
The suspect, who was reportedly armed, had been breaking into vehicles and had threatened a bystander with a gun, prompting the police response. CSPD has yet to release further details on the identity of the suspect or the officer involved in the shooting, as the investigation continues.
As the investigation into the incident unfolds, many in the Downtown area are left questioning the circumstances surrounding the event, while others wonder what measures will be taken to ensure safety in the future. The disruption to daily life has raised concerns among residents and visitors about the potential for increased crime and the role of police in addressing it.
At this time, CSPD has not provided an estimated timeline for the completion of the investigation, and further updates are expected as more information becomes available.
