A shooting investigation in Aurora early Tuesday morning almost turned deadly for a couple of police officers when a car smashed through the crime scene, Aurora police said today.
Police had gone to the vicinity of Buckley Road and East Quincy Avenue late Monday night after a man was critically wounded following a dispute between a number of individuals.
Early Tuesday, just a few minutes after midnight, a car allegedly driven by 24-year-old Jason Michael Cooper drove into the parking lot in the northeast corner of Buckley Road and Quincy, according to Bob Friel, spokesman for the Aurora Police Department.
The car ripped through the crime scene tape which had been in place for several hours and barely missed investigating officers, who had to run from the path of Cooper’s car, said Friel.
As the allegedly drunken Cooper drove through the crime scene, his 1988 Oldsmobile allegedly struck a patrol car. He then fled as officers tried to stop him.
Friel said Cooper drove into a nearby neighborhood and ran into the front yard of a residence in the 4000 block of South Pagosa Court.
Officers and a K9 team searched the neighborhood and found Cooper behind a bush. He was taken into custody.
Cooper is being held for investigation of driving under the influence, careless driving and driving with a revoked license. A passenger in the car was not held.
The victim of the shooting that sparked the early morning investigation remains in critical condition.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
