A man who allegedly fired two air rifles at the Ward Pond State Wildlife Area was apprehended at around 2:45 p.m. today without incident by Wheat Ridge police and Division of Wildlife agents.
DOW spokesman Tyler Baskfield said that DOW officers witnessed the man — who had pitched a tent in the wildlife area and was fishing — shooting the rifles late this morning.
He was cited for discharging a firearm in a state wildlife area, said Baskfield. After being cited, he was released.
The area is near the intersection of Ward Road and Interstate 70 in the 4800 block of Ward Road. The area, which has dense foliage, is visible to motorists driving on the interstate.
Lisa Stigall, spokesperson for the Wheat Ridge Police Department, said DOW officers contacted the Wheat Ridge Police Department at 11:50 a.m. and alerted them to the situation.
She said Wheat Ridge officers and two Wheat Ridge negotiators observed the man from a distance. They noted he regularly checked his fishing poles and the two guns, which appeared from a distance to be two rifles.
Baskfield said that initial contact was made with the man over a patrol car “PA system.” Then both police and DOW officers approached the man, who did not resist.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
