Authorities on Tuesday identified the man last week after investigators say he ran over and dragged a police officer.
Nicholas Damon, 30, of Denver, died in the encounter near the intersection of West 86th Avenue and Sheridan Boulevard, Jefferson County Coroner John Graham said.
Police say Damon, who was wanted on several felony and misdemeanor warrants, fought with officers as they tried to arrest him in a parking lot. During the struggle, he was able to get in his car, start it and attempt to drive away, according to police.
As the vehicle took off, it ran over and dragged an officer. The officer who was struck and others at the scene fired at Damon.
Damon was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The injured officer was taken to a hospital . The name of the injured officer, who suffered leg injuries and abrasions, has not been released.
State records show Damon had a long criminal history dating to 2004 that includes arrests across the Denver area on suspicion of felony charges for burglary, drugs, vehicular eluding and assaulting a police officer.
In January 2015, was accused of injuring two police officers in Commerce City after backing into their patrol vehicle as they tried to take him into custody. Commerce City police could not be reached for comment on Tuesday, and Westminster police declined to confirm the connection.
Thursday evening’s shooting remains under investigation.
