A Cherry Hills Village police officer shot an arrestee inside a Denver-area hospital Thursday evening after the person “violently attacked” the officer, police leaders said Friday.
The officer, who was not named, was charged with monitoring the person at HCA HealthONE Swedish, Cherry Hills Village Police Chief Jason Lyons said in. The person had been arrested on suspicion of car theft earlier Thursday and taken to the hospital in Englewood.
The suspect violently attacked the officer during a medical exam just after 5:30 p.m. Thursday, according to the police department. The officer then shot the suspect.
Nobody else was injured in the shooting, police said.
“We recognize that this incident was troubling for hospital staff, patients and visitors,” Lyons said in a statement. “Situations like this are why an officer remains with a suspect at all times while medical care is provided. Violence in a health care setting is unacceptable, and we are grateful that no additional injuries occurred.”
The suspect, whose identity has not been released publicly, is being treated at Swedish, police said. Department leaders placed the officer involved on paid administrative leave while the shooting is investigated, per department policy.
The shooting will be investigated by the 18th Judicial District.
