Police Search For Driver After Deputy Fires Shots Near Colfax & I-25

DENVER (CBS4)- Police in Denver are investigating an off-duty Denver Sheriff's deputy that fired shots at another driver early Wednesday morning.

It happened about 3:30 a.m. on the Interstate 25 off-ramp to Colfax Avenue.

The deputy was parked in his personal vehicle at the stoplight and exchanged heated words with another driver.

The exchange escalated and the other driver started to drive away and then backed up at a high rate of speed. The deputy said he felt threatened and fired at the driver.

That driver sped away. Police are searching for the driver in a black or dark green colored Jeep Cherokee.

"We understand there was a Denver sheriff's deputy in his personal vehicle was stopped at the ramp as you exit I-25 at Colfax. He got out of his car, had words with the driver next to him, we're not sure what that was all about. The driver then took off and came back at him at a high rate of speed. The sheriff's deputy felt threatened and he discharged his weapon. The driver then sped away at a high rate of speed. We're looking for that driver, hoping to speak with him. The deputy did stop there and we're currently interviewing him to find out what transpired and led up to this," said Denver police spokesman Sonny Jackson.

The suspect vehicle is described as a green older model Jeep Cherokee with an unknown temporary license plate. The rear window displayed a sticker in the shape of an "O." There is a possibility that the vehicle may have sustained damage due to the shooting. The driver is described as a white male, late 20s to early 30s, with a thin face and possible mustache and goatee. The man was wearing a black colored beanie hat.

Colfax was closed between the southbound ramp of I-25 and 7th for about three hours during the investigation.

The closure caused some traffic delays in the area during the Wednesday morning commute.

Police are interviewing the deputy. The deputy's identity has not been revealed.