Westminster Police Department
For Immediate Release
Direct: (303) 658-4421
Dispatch: (303) 658-4360
Prepared by: Investigator Cheri Spottke
Case Number: 2017-04220
Subject: Officer Involved Shooting
Date – March 14, 2017
Today around 11:36am we were notified by the Metropolitan Auto Theft Task Force they were investigating a stolen vehicle in the area of 10700 Grove Street. About 12:36pm we were notified of an officer involved shooting in the 11200 block of Stuart Street – Cotton Creek Park.
Officers from the Metropolitan Auto Theft Task Force followed the vehicle to the park, where the suspect got out of the vehicle. Officers confronted a suspect who had a weapon, four officers fired their weapons striking the suspect. The suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The officers involved in the incident are assigned to the task force and are with the Colorado State Patrol, Wheatridge Police Department and the Lakewood Police Department.
The 17th Judicial District Critical Incident Team is investigating the incident. All four of the officers were placed on routine administrative leave during the investigation.
Cotton Creek Elementary was temporarily put on lockdown, and then was transitioned to lockout. A reunification process was initiated and parents were able to pick up their students at the school with a photo ID. There were no additional threats to the students.
The Metropolitan Auto Theft Task Force is a multi-jurisdictional task force comprised of officers from: Lakewood, Denver, Aurora, Wheatridge, Colorado State Patrol, Arapahoe County Sheriff Department, Adams County Sheriff Department, and Jefferson County Sheriff Department. Primary duties of this task force are to investigate auto thefts throughout the Denver metro area.
The identity of the suspect will be released by the Adams County Coroner’s office.
This is an ongoing investigation and additional information will be limited.
All media inquiries should be directed to Investigator Cheri Spottke with the Westminster Police Department 303-658-4360.
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