Date – June 18, 2020
At approximately 5:40pm, members of the Westminster Police Department S.W.A.T. Team served a search and separate arrest warrant on behalf of the Lakewood Police Department. It was believed that a 38-year-old Caucasian male; wanted for 2nd Degree Assault, 1st Degree Burglary, Felony Menacing, Violation of Bail Bond Conditions and additional warrants was living at an apartment in the 6900 block of Stuart St.
Officers made announcements of police and search warrant before entering the apartment. Once inside, officers encountered the male suspect; who was armed with a handgun in a small bedroom. The male ignored the officer’s commands and moved the gun in the direction of officers. Two officers discharged their weapons, striking the suspect.
The Westminster Fire Department, who had been briefed and assigned to accompany the S.W.A.T. team, was already on scene. Paramedics responded to the apartment and began administering life saving measures. The suspect was transported by ambulance to an area hospital where he died. The identity of the suspect will be provided by the Adams County Coroner’s Office after the necessary notifications have been made.
In addition to the suspect, there were several adults (both male and female) and one juvenile female inside the apartment. None of the occupants were injured.
The two officers involved in the shooting were not injured. Both officers are sergeants with the Westminster Police Department. One Sergeant has over 30 years of service in law enforcement and has been on the S.W.A.T. team for 19 years. The second sergeant has over 15 years of service in law enforcement and has been a member of the S.W.A.T. team for over 6 years. This is the first officer involved shooting for both sergeants.
The Westminster Police Department does not currently have body worn cameras (BWC). Over the past several months we have been conducting comprehensive and in-depth research into the benefits and limitations of BWC. The Westminster Police Department will be moving forward with the implementation of BWC.
This incident is being investigated by the 17th Judicial District Critical Incident Investigation Team. More information about that process can be found in the link below.
http://adamsbroomfieldda.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Critical-Incident-Investigation-Team.pdf