Denver’s top prosecutor on Wednesday said he will not file charges against Denver Police Sgt. Tony Lopez Jr., who wounded a suspect that almost left the officer dead.
Lopez shot 36-year-old Jason Wood in the foot on Dec. 8 during a traffic stop near Federal Boulevard and Clyde Place.
Lopez in the flurry of gunfire. The seven-year veteran of the city’s police department underwent hours of surgery for multiple wounds to the upper and lower parts of his body.
“His decision to use force to defend himself was clearly justified,” District Attorney Mitch Morrissey wrote in a letter announcing that no charges will be filed against Lopez.
Morrissey added that Lopez’s shooting at Wood’s legs “in all probability saved his life.”
According to the letter, Wood shot Lopez six times in the officer’s ballistic vest, left arm and at least twice in his legs. One of the wounds pierced Lopez’s femoral artery, investigators said.
Lopez told investigators that at one point Wood walked slowly toward him while firing his gun. Lopez moved to the back of his police car and fired at Lopez’s legs, the only visible target, the letter said.
Authorities found more than 30 spent shell casings at the scene.
Police say Wood fled after shooting Lopez, carjacked a sedan and was eventually stopped by officers near Coors Field.
Investigators say they found a semi-automatic rifle in the vehicle Wood was in when Lopez initiated the traffic stop. There were also 100 rounds of ammunition suitable for the rifle, three .45-caliber pistol magazines and a box containing 27 rounds of .45-caliber ammunition.
Police say they believe Wood used a handgun in his shootout with Lopez.
attempted murder, two counts of first-degree assault and one count of robbery in the case.
Lopez, the son of Tony Lopez Sr., who commands police District 6 that includes downtown Denver, was promoted to sergeant after the shooting.
“This incident highlights the inherent risks of police work,” Morrissey wrote. “Officer Lopez was engaged in what is ordinarily a routine police action — effectuating a traffic stop. As Officer Lopez got out of his vehicle he was fired upon. There was no warning.”
Jesse Paul: 303-954-1733, jpaul@denverpost.com or @JesseAPaul
