A police officer who saw a man pointing a gun at a patrol car shot the man in the face early today in Lower Downtown Denver, authorities say.
The suspect, whose name has not been released, was taken to Denver Health Medical Center, where he is being treating for non-life-threatening injuries, said Sonny Jackson, Denver police spokesman.
He is in stable condition, Jackson said.
Seven minutes after the 2 a.m. closing time for bars, two men were in a car behind a Denver patrol car near the intersection of Blake Street and 19th Avenue, he said.
The driver of the car appeared to point a handgun at two officers sitting inside a patrol car, police said.
An officer on foot on a sidewalk saw the suspect, yelled a command and then fired, hitting him in the face, Jackson said.
“You don’t know what’s on their mind,” Jackson said. “You can’t take any chances.”
The passenger in the car was arrested and taken to police headquarters for questioning.
The man who was holding the gun also was arrested, but he was taken to the hospital for treatment.
The shooting remains under investigation. The names of the officers involved have not been released.
Kirk Mitchell: 303-954-1206 or kmitchell@denverpost.com
