A fugitive accused of shooting a Denver police officer, leaving him in critical condition, is believed to be the only gunman involved, police said Wednesday.
Police on Wednesday gave new insight into a Tuesday traffic stop outside a liquor store along Federal Boulevard that left in critical condition and a wounded suspect in custody.
The suspect, whose name has been withheld, remains in a hospital with a gunshot wound in the ankle. His wounds are not life-threatening.
Melinda Espinoza, a person of interest in the case, turned herself in on Wednesday afternoon, police said. Espinoza, 40, was seen fleeing from the suspect’s vehicle.
Denver police Cmdr. Ron Saunier described a timeline of events that led up to the shooting: At 11:19 a.m., Lopez ran a license plate through his system. At 11:21 a.m., Lopez executed a traffic stop at Clyde Place and Federal Boulevard in a liquor store parking lot. At 11:23 a.m., Lopez radioed that he had been shot.
Witnesses described hearing dozens of gunshots before Lopez could call for help.
Lopez’s family released a statement to the public on Wednesday afternoon.
“We greatly appreciate the outpouring of support from Mayor Hancock, Chief White, Deputy Chief Quinones, Tony Junior’s fellow officers, the Denver Police Foundation and the community,” the statement said. “Tony Jr. remains in critical condition with a long road ahead to a full recovery. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.”
Lopez, a seven-year veteran of the department, underwent hours of surgery for multiple wounds to the upper and lower parts of his body. Saunier said Lopez is still listed in critical condition.
The man in the shootout with Lopez fled in a white SUV but abandoned the vehicle about two blocks away, near Federal Boulevard and West Denver Place. The gunman then carjacked a vehicle in line for the drive-up window at a US Bank in the 3400 block of West 38th Avenue. Officers spotted the carjacked vehicle and stopped it downtown near 20th Street and Chestnut Place, about 2 miles from the original scene.
The suspect was wanted on a warrant in a home invasion case and has a long previous felony record, Saunier said. The suspect likely used a handgun in the shootout. A long gun and ammunition were later found by police in the car the suspect ditched.
Elizabeth Hernandez: 303-954-1223, ehernandez @denverpost.com or @ehernandez
