A Colorado Springs police officer shot and killed an armed man during a domestic disturbance, authorities said Monday.
The armed man, 44, had threatened to kill his ex-girlfriend and her family during the altercation, which occurred Sunday on Moccasin Pass Court in northwest Colorado Springs, police said.
Authorities said they believe the home is owned by the ex-girlfriend, whose name they did not disclose. Someone at the house called 911 and alerted police.
“He showed up and apparently shot at her and other people at the house as well,” said police Sgt. Sal Fiorillo, who heads the department’s major crimes unit. “Fortunately, we had an officer nearby who was able to respond very quickly to the scene. The officer recognized this was a dangerous situation.”
When the first officer arrived at the house, the suspect, standing in the window of an upstairs bedroom, pointed a gun at the officer, police said.
“It happened pretty quickly,” Fiorillo said. “The officer gave several verbal commands and the suspect failed to comply. He wouldn’t put the gun down.”
The officer fired one time, striking the suspect in the chest, Fiorillo said. The suspect died at the scene, he added.
An autopsy will be conducted this week, police said.
Police did not release the name of the officer involved in the shooting or the name of the man who was killed. There were no other injuries reported.
Fiorillo said the suspect was not from the Colorado Springs area, and police were having a difficult time tracking down his next of kin.
He also said he was unaware whether the suspect had a history of prior arrests.
Police said the officer involved in the shooting will be placed on routine administrative leave.
Fiorillo said the major crimes unit and the 4th Judicial District attorney’s office will investigate the shooting as policy dictates when officers are involved in deadly-force situations.
The investigation could be complete in a matter of weeks, Fiorillo said.
A neighbor said the house where the shooting occurred appeared to be empty Monday.
Staff writer Kim McGuire can be reached at 303-954-1240 or kmcguire@denverpost.com.
