Denver Officer Shot While Pursuing Crime Spree Suspects

DENVER (CBS4) - A police officer in Denver was shot Wednesday afternoon during a pursuit of some suspects after some crimes were committed in Adams County.

The officer was injured and rushed to Denver Health Medical Center after getting shot in the shoulder at 34th and Mariposa while in pursuit of the suspects after what Denver Police Chief Robert White called a "mini crime spree" that began in Adams County.

"We did receive information from Adams County of a vehicle that was involved in somewhat of a mini crime spree. It's a vehicle that we eventually stopped. As a result of that the shooting occurred and we have several crime scenes; we're in the process of developing additional information," White said.

The chase began at 3:30 p.m.

"They were chasing someone around the corner because I heard it, this corner, that corner, that corner then all of a sudden they ended up there about a block away and then all of the sudden from there I heard a bunch of gunshots go off," said neighbor Codey Sias.

The officer's injuries are serious but not life threatening.

Residents were asked to avoid the area of 38th and Osage due to ongoing significant police activity.

Earlier in the afternoon four suspects in connection with the officer shooting were accounted for, but another escaped and police were looking for a 6-foot-2 Hispanic man wearing a white hoodie. He was eventually located and taken into custody later Wednesday evening.

One suspect died at the scene but it's not clear how the person died. Another suspect was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries after that person was attacked by a K-9 unit. Another suspect was rushed to the hospital in critical condition with gunshot wounds. Another female suspect was also rushed to the hospital with injuries consistent with a car crash.

At one time Wednesday afternoon four schools were on lockdown, including Horace Mann Elementary School, Trevista Elementary at Horace Mann, Bryant Webster Dual Language School and Sandoval Elementary Schools.

The dismissals at Trevista Elementary and Bryant Webster Dual Language School were delayed for a couple of hours. They continued with controlled release at 5 p.m. Parents were required to show identification to get their children.

The lockdowns were lifted for Columbian Elementary and Sandoval Elementary Schools at 5 p.m.

A police officer responding to the shooting was involved in a crash at Colfax and Kalamath. There were no serious injuries in that crash.