Published October 15th, 2024
A deputy with the Elbert County, Colorado, Sheriff's Office (ECSO) was shot Tuesday morning. At about 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, deputies with the ECSO SWAT team were serving a search warrant at a residence in an apartment building in Elizabeth City on behalf of the Elizabeth Police Department. As the deputies surrounded the building and approached the door of the apartment to serve the warrant, the door of the apartment opened and an individual inside the apartment opened fire on deputies, striking one of them. The deputies returned fire and retreated, establishing a perimeter, and evacuating nearby residents. The Douglas County Regional SWAT team was called in to assist. When additional officers arrived, they again approached the apartment, where they observed a male laying on the floor inside the apartment. The male was pronounced deceased at the scene.
In a subsequent press conference, Elbert County Sheriff Tim Norton said that the deputy who had been shot was struck in the torso, but the ballistic-resistant vest he was wearing had stopped the bullet and prevented significant injury. Sheriff Norton also stated the officer, who was a “seasoned and level-headed" member of the SWAT team, remained on the scene after he had been struck, and was treated for what was described as “minor injuries” by medical personnel after other resources had arrived on the scene. The 18th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team was activated and will investigate the shooting. The Elbert County Coroner's Office will identify the deceased suspect.
