GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo.—Two men arrested in the shooting of an officer last month are being released because prosecutors say they haven’t been able to gather enough evidence against them.
Sergio Esteban Ramirez, 20, of Glenwood Springs was released Wednesday. District Attorney Martin Beeson said prosecutors were also working to free Mauricio Villa Garcia Pena, 20, of Silt.
They were arrested after an officer was shot on July 29. The officer, whose name has not been released, was wearing a bulletproof vest and was not seriously hurt.
Authorities said the officer was checking a motor vehicle impoundment lot near the Glenwood Springs airport when he saw two men walking away from him. After the officer told them to stop, one of the men shot him in the chest, police said.
Beeson and Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario wouldn’t comment on whether charges might be filed against the men later, or if investigators had other suspects.
Vallario said investigators were waiting for results on some evidence tests from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
Beeson said the releases did not signify any failure in the case.
“We’ve chosen at this point to buy time and to continue with our own investigation,” he said.
Norma Ruiz, Ramirez’s mother, was among a group of relatives and friends who greeted him when he was released. She said her son has been in the trouble with the law for underage drinking and marijuana but wasn’t violent.
Ramirez said he was angry about being arrested but, after spending time praying in jail with Garcia Pena, he thought the incident was a sign to improve his life.
“We’re just doing our thing,” Ramirez said. “Shooting cops is not our thing.”
