Hero Good Samaritan Took Out Active Shooter Who Killed Colorado Officer In Ambush

Arvada, CO – A good Samaritan killed an active shooter who ambushed a police officer in Olde Town Arvada on Monday, and has been hailed as a hero who was killed while stopping the gunman from taking more lives.

John Hurley, 40, was inside the Arvada Army Navy Surplus store on June 21 when a gunman opened fire at Arvada Police Officer Gordon Beesley on the plaza in Olde Town Arvada, KCNC reported.

Bill Troyanos was working in the surplus store when he heard the shooting outside, and told KMGH that Hurley pulled his gun from his holster and jumped into action.

“He did not hesitate; he didn’t stand there and think about it. He totally heard the gunfire, went to the door, saw the shooter and immediately ran in that direction,” Troyanos said. “I just want to make sure his family knows how heroic he was.”

Outside, Hurley told the manager of a nearby restaurant to get people inside to safety, KMGH reported.

“He turned back and looked towards everybody at the restaurant and told us that he [the gunman] is coming, that he is coming back and that we should get inside,” the manager said. “I ran to the back of the store, closer to the alley, kind of ‘nooked’ myself in a corner just to feel safe.”

Troyanos told KMGH that he saw Hurley confront and kill the active shooter.

“Mr. Hurley shot him. I think I heard six shots from his gun, maybe five,” he said.

Troyanos said he saw the gunman fall against a parked vehicle, KMGH reported.

Hurley was also fatally shot during the incident.

Officials have not yet confirmed if Hurley was shot by the suspect or if he was shot by law enforcement in the confusion, KMGH reported.

Arvada Police Chief Link Strate called Hurley a hero on Tuesday, KCNC reported.

“He is a true hero and likely disrupted what could have been a larger loss of life,” Chief Strate told reporters.

Details about what motives the gunman – later identified as Ronald Troyke – may have had have not yet been released, KCNC reported.

However, Chief Strate told reporters on June 22 that Officer Beesley was “ambushed by a person who expressed hatred of police officers.”

“I can tell you Gordon was targeted because he was wearing an Arvada police uniform and a badge,” he said. “While this was a deliberate act of violence, we still believe this was an isolated incident and our community is safe.”