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Denver Detective Arrested After Firing Shots Inside Home

THORNTON, Colo. (CBS4) - A decorated member of Denver's police force could lose his job after allegedly firing a weapon in his home.

Daniel Diaz Deleon, a detective, was being held in the Adams County Jail Monday night on a $5,000 bond after being arrested on domestic violence and child abuse charges.

The incident started just before midnight Saturday as a domestic dispute at the Adams County home. Deleon's 9-year-old child called 911 after the gunshots rang out.

"The call came in through one of the children in the residence. They notified dispatch that their mother and father were involved an argument and they requested police assistance," Thornton Police spokesman Matt Barnes said.

Daniel Diaz Deleon
Daniel Diaz Deleon (credit: Adams County Sheriff's Office)

When officers arrived to the house they reported hearing shots inside.

"We looked out the window and the cops had their guns pointed at the house and said 'Come out with your hands up,' " said Andrea Trujillo, a neighbor.

Witnesses said those officers ducked for cover, with some hiding behind mailboxes before they could eventually make the arrest.

Neighbors told CBS4 they were stunned by all the commotion, at first thinking Deleon and his family were victims.

"At first we thought it was a robbery because obviously he's a detective so we didn't think he'd be the one being arrested," said Miranda Trujillo, another neighbor.

Thornton police said Deleon was initially resistive and that he had fired his gun at least 6 times.

"Officers located what appeared to be the shell casings on the second floor. It appeared the weapon was fired through the floor down onto the second floor," Barnes said.

It's unclear so far if Deleon was using his service weapon.

No one was injured in the incident.

Deleon is a celebrated officer with the Denver Police Department. He received the Citizens Appreciate Police Award in April. In 2013 he was awarded for outstanding community service for aid he gave to a mother and daughter.

Denver police say Deleon will meet with his department's internal affairs department before it's determine if he can stay with the department or will lose his job.

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