A 35-year-old man was shot and wounded by law enforcement Tuesday morning at a Denver gas station after officers tracked a stolen traffic control vehicle to the location, according to the Colorado State Patrol.
The shooting occurred around 11 a.m. at a Sinclair gas station in the 600 block of Santa Fe Drive.
Incident
Colorado State Patrol Colonel Matthew Packard said the incident began around 9 a.m. with the theft of a traffic control truck near Bennett in eastern Adams County.
According to investigators, a worker at a traffic site exited the vehicle, at which point the suspect entered the truck and drove away. The company later reported the vehicle stolen and informed authorities it was equipped with a tracking system.
The Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority Metropolitan Auto Theft Task Force, known as CMATT, was notified and began tracking the vehicle. The task force includes officers from multiple agencies, including the Denver Police Department, Colorado State Patrol, and the Adams County Sheriff’s Office.
Confrontation
Packard said task force members located the stolen truck at the gas station and confronted the suspect after he entered the store.
During that encounter, a Colorado State Patrol trooper and an Adams County sheriff’s deputy fired their weapons, striking the suspect. No law enforcement officers were injured.
The suspect was taken to a hospital for treatment. Authorities said they believe the man was armed, but Packard emphasized that details surrounding the moments leading up to the shooting remain under investigation.
“It’s too early at this point to say,” Packard said. “We do believe the suspect was armed, but as far as what specifically happened in those moments, we do not know.”
Scene
Multiple bullet holes were visible in the front of the gas station following the shooting. Packard said it was not yet clear whether officers were inside or outside the building when shots were fired, adding that it was possible they were positioned in or near the doorway.
Officials have not said what prompted officers to shoot or whether other customers or employees were inside the store at the time.
Community
Neighbors expressed concern following the incident, noting the gas station’s importance to the surrounding area.
“Everybody has their corner store situation; this is this neighborhood’s,” said one nearby resident who came to check on employees. “She has created a really special environment here.”
Investigation
The shooting remains under investigation. Authorities have not released the suspect’s name or announced whether any charges will be filed. Further details are expected as investigators review evidence and body camera footage.
FAQs
Where did the shooting take place?
At a Sinclair gas station on Santa Fe Drive in Denver.
What led officers to the gas station?
A stolen traffic control truck was tracked there.
Was anyone else injured?
No law enforcement officers were injured.
Was the suspect armed?
Authorities believe he was, but details are unclear.
Is the investigation ongoing?
Yes, officials are still reviewing the incident.
