Windsor Police Chief John Michaels shot and killed a 68-year-old man who pointed a gun at him and who had shot one of Michaels’ officers multiple times moments earlier, authorities said Monday.
Michaels rushed to the scene Saturday at about 2 p.m. when he heard the call “officer down,” according to a Weld County district attorney’s office news release.
The man shot by Michaels was identified Monday as Edward Cavaliere. The officer Cavaliere shot, Cpl. Gerald Beers, was expected to be released from the hospital Monday.
Beers, a Windsor police officer for three years, was hit multiple times in the torso and lower abdomen. He was wearing a protective vest.
The incident began when police were called to Cavaliere’s home at Governor’s Farm Apartments on a report that he stole $25 worth of candy from a local grocery store.
Beers and another officer wanted to talk to Cavaliere about the alleged theft when he came to the door with a gun, exchanged words with the officers and fired at Beers, according to the press release.
When Michaels arrived, he checked Beers’ vital signs and tried to talk to Cavaliere, who was inside. Cavaliere again came to the door armed and pointed a gun at Michaels, according to the DA’s office.
Michaels fired his gun at Cavaliere “who fell back into the house,” the news release said.
The Larimer County SWAT Team was called to the home because the injuries to Cavaliere were unknown at the time, authorities said. He was pronounced dead about 4:20 p.m.
Michaels is on “modified administrative duties,” pending an investigation of the shootings.
