DENVER — Denver police shot and killed a man in a lower downtown parking lot early Sunday morning.
Shots were reported near the corner of 18th and Market streets just before 2 a.m.
When officers arrived on scene, they observed what appeared to be a fight and moved into the area to break it up.
As they approached, the officers heard gunshots and observed two men exchanging gunfire.
Two Denver officers confronted one individual armed with a shotgun. This male turned on the officers and fired in their direction.
The officers returned fire striking the shooter. The second male then took the shotgun and engaged the officers, a police spokesman said. The officers fired again, also striking the second suspect.
Both men were transported to Denver Health Medical Center where one died from his injuries. The second remains in critical condition with gunshot wounds.
A third male who is believed to have fired a handgun fled from the crime scene..
Detectives have identified four additional individuals who sustained non-life threatening injuries from shotgun pellets.
At the time of the shooting, there were dozens of people present in the parking lot, many of whom left prior to the arrival of investigators.
The names of the victims and officers are being withheld pending further investigation, positive identification and notification of family and next of kin.
