Published December 27th, 2021
A Lakewood, Colorado police officer is recovering after being shot during an exchange of gunfire with a suspect who committed multiple shooting attacks in the Denver and Lakewood area on Monday. Shortly after 5 pm on Monday, Denver Police responded to a series of shooting incidents that left four people dead and one injured. A suspect was located fleeing the scene of the last incident in a vehicle, and police gave pursuit. During the pursuit, gunfire was exchanged between the suspect and police, and a pursuing police vehicle was disabled allowing the suspect to get away. Shortly after 6 pm, Lakewood Police received a call of a shooting incident at a business. When they arrived, a victim was found dead at the scene. The suspect was located a short distance away, and police exchanged gunfire with the suspect, who fled on foot into a hotel and shopping area. In the hotel, the suspect shot a desk clerk. As the suspect fled that scene, he was confronted by a Lakewood Police officer. The suspect shot the officer in the abdomen, but she was wearing a ballistic-resistant vest. Other Lakewood officers arrived and exchanged gunfire with the suspect, who died at the scene. The injured Lakewood officer was transported to a local hospital, where she underwent surgery for her injuries. According to Lakewood Police Public Information Officer John Romero, the officer is in stable condition, and is expected to survive. “I cannot emphasize enough how heroic this Lakewood agent is. She took a situation that was already horrendous and put herself in harm’s way to stop it before it got even worse,” Romero said. “We’re beyond proud of her actions and the lives she likely saved because of her acts last night.”
