A Rifle man and an officer responding to a domestic violence call were shot in an exchange of gunfire Friday night, authorities say.
The officer was in good condition at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction after undergoing surgery, said Philip A. Strouse, spokesman for the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office.
Phillip Michael Amonette, 53, was taken to Grand River Hospital and was later transferred to St. Mary’s Hospital. His condition was not released.
He is being held for investigation of attempted murder in the first degree on a $1 million bond, Rifle Police Chief Daryl Meisner said.
The officer, whose name has not been released, and another officer arrived at a home on the 2100 block of Whiteriver Avenue at about 8:20 p.m. Friday night, Meisner said.
Amonette allegedly tried to escape from the officers and while he did so he pulled out a hand gun and shot the officer, he said.
The police officer who was not struck by a bullet then shot the suspect, Meisner said.
Because a Rifle officer was involved in the shooting, the case was turned over to the Garfield County Sheriff’s Department for investigation, he said.
Kirk Mitchell: 303-954-1206 or kmitchell@denverpost.com
