Updated 7:40 a.m. Aug. 5, 2026:The 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday that charges would not be filed against Englewood police officer Ben Wartofsky in the Oct. 6, 2025, shooting that injured Noel DeJesus Garcia, 42. Wartofsky’s use of force was “reasonable and justified,” District Attorney Amy Padden wrote. .
Englewood police shot a man early Monday morning who they said charged at officers and stabbed one of them in the shoulder at a Denny’s restaurant.
The suspect was taken to a hospital and was being treated for his injuries. The officer was also treated at a hospital and released.
The incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. at the Denny’s at 275 W. Hampden Ave., Englewood police said . Police were responding to a report of a man who had pulled a knife on an employee and tried to stab that employee.
The suspect was in the bathroom of the diner when officers arrived, and after being contacted by police, he reportedly pulled out a knife and charged at officers. Police said he stabbed one officer in the shoulder. Another officer then shot the man.
“Officers immediately rendered aid to the suspect and called for medical assistance,” Englewood police said in their news release. The suspect will be transported to the Arapahoe County Jail as soon as he is released from the hospital.
The 18th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team was called out to conduct an independent investigation of the incident. The officers involved in the shooting were placed on paid administrative leave, as department policy states.
