Broomfield police used a nonlethal bullet to subdue and arrest a man who barricaded himself inside a bar early Monday after pointing a gun at officers, said Sgt. Colleen O’Connell.
Justin Ishizu, 19, was also wanted for escaping from a Jefferson County work-release program.
The incident began at 1:17 a.m. when officers stopped a car and discovered a 16-year-old girl was driving apparently drunk and with a suspended license.
While arresting the girl, officers noticed Ishizu in the back seat. Police saw what they thought was a plastic gun case between his legs. They later discovered it was a .25-caliber pistol.
Ishizu got out of the car and ran into In Kahoots Bar and Grill, 12708 Lowell Blvd. While running away, he flashed the gun at police, they said.
Police evacuated patrons and management while they tried to negotiate with Ishizu to come out. He refused.
Members of Broomfield’s SWAT team went into the bar two hours later and used a nonlethal round to disable Ishizu and arrested him.
Ishizu was booked into the Broomfield Detention Center on suspicion of being an offender in possession of a gun, using a weapon while under the influence of alcohol, obstructing police, reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct and violating a restraining order.
He has a lengthy arrest record, according to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Arrests in Westminster and Jefferson County include allegations of illegally using credit cards, assault and battery, possession of handguns by a juvenile, obstructing police and resisting an officer.
Staff writer Felisa Cardona can be reached at 303-820-1219 or fcardona@denverpost.com.
