Thornton police shot and killed a suspect who got out of his vehicle during a traffic stop and shot the officer who pulled him over early Wednesday morning.
The incident began at 12:50 a.m. when an officer spotted a vehicle driving without its headlights on. The officer stopped the vehicle, which pulled into an RTD Park and Ride lot at 8703 N. Grant St., said Matt Barnes, police spokesman.
The officer contacted the driver, who stepped out of his car “and shot the officer with a shotgun,” Barnes said.
The suspect then returned to his car and drove off.
“The wounded officer was able to pursue the suspect south on Grant,” and was joined in the chase by two other police units.
The suspect stopped in the middle of the street about two blocks south of the parking lot and exchanged gunfire with the officers, Barnes said, and police shot and killed him.
The officer, who hasn’t been identified, is a 30-year police veteran, Barnes said.
He was shot multiple times but treated at a hospital Wednesday and released.
Police haven’t identified the suspect pending notification of his family.
The 17th Judicial District Critical Incident team is investigating.
Tom McGhee: 303-954-1671, tmcghee@denverpost.com or @dpmcghee
