Holly MatkinDenver, CO – A Denver police officer was shot in the neck by a handcuffed suspect who was being transported to jail on Monday night, according to investigators.
The series of events leading up to the shooting began at approximately 9 p.m. on Nov. 28, when Denver Police Department (DPD) officers spotted a vehicle they believed was stolen traveling in the southwest area of the city, KKTV reported.
When police tried to pull the driver over, he fled from them, triggering a pursuit, according to the DPD.
The chase continued through the city until the suspect finally pulled over in the area of Lowell Boulevard and Iowa Avenue, KDVR reported.
He then got out and walked away from the vehicle, at which point officers were able to detain him, according to KKTV.
Police said they located a large quantity of suspected narcotics and a handgun on the suspect during his arrest.
They also confirmed the vehicle the suspect was driving had been reported as stolen.
Officers ultimately loaded the suspect up and transported him to the detention facility located at Delaware Street and West Colfax Avenue at approximately 11 p.m., KDVR reported.
But as they pulled into the facility’s parking structure, the handcuffed suspect “somehow” accessed another gun and fired it at one of the two officers who were transporting him, KKTV reported.
The round hit the officer in the neck.
Investigators said they believe the second firearm was “concealed somewhere on the person,” according to KKTV.
The DPD said multiple officers were in the area at the time of the shooting, KDVR reported.
At least one of the officers returned fire, hitting the suspect multiple times.
The suspect was transported to an area hospital in critical condition, KDVR reported.
Details regarding his injuries were not immediately released, nor was his identity.
The wounded officer was transported to the hospital and is expected to survive, according to the DPD.
DPD Chief Ron Thomas said the wounded hero is a seven-year veteran of the department.
The officer’s mother and wife were with him at the hospital on Monday night.
The DPD said the incident will be investigated as per the city’s officer-involved shooting protocol, KDVR reported.
The findings will be forwarded to the district attorney’s office for review.
“Certainly officers take precautions to search individuals for weapons and other items that could be used to harm themselves, or harm the officers, and we’ll have to identify through the investigation exactly where this weapon was recovered from,” Chief Thomas said.
HUGE police presence in downtown Denver at Colfax & Glenarm. @DenverPolice on scene tell me: “all we know is an officer was shot” …big prayers for all involved. @KDVR @channel2kwgn pic.twitter.com/1HvTaJnwx9
— Katie Orth (@katieorth) November 29, 2022
Watch: DPD provides information regarding the officer-involved shooting that occurred at the Downtown Detention Center. https://t.co/oMyB1fDANe
— Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice) November 29, 2022
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