4 Dead, Including Gunman, In Colorado Springs Shootings
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4) - Police in Colorado Springs shot and killed a suspect when he fired on officers on Saturday morning. Three others were found dead. The motive for the shootings is unclear.
Police rushed to the 200 block of North Prospect Street about 8:45 a.m. Saturday on reports of shots fired. When they arrived, they encountered the suspect at Platte Avenue and Wasatch Street. The suspect fired multiple shots at the officers and officers returned fire.
Officers discovered one man dead on Prospect Street. They also discovered a small fire burning inside a home on the same street.
Witnesses say the gunman was randomly shooting at people while walking down the street. Two others were fatally wounded by the gunman.
"I saw someone who came running around the corner, being chased by police, " said witness Aaron Nicks. "And that's when they yelled, 'Put the gun down!' and he turned around and that's when they shot him a good 20 times or at least shot at him 20 times... There was a lot of gunfire."
Alisha Jaynes told CBS4's sister station KKTV-TV 11 News she was at an ATM when she saw a man with a gun walking calmly down the street.
The gunman's identity has not been released. The victims names have not been released.
It is unclear whether the gunman knew his victims or if he was responsible for setting the home on fire.
The crime scene investigation covered several city blocks and several roads were closed. Platte Avenue from Corona Street to Weber Street, both east and westbound lanes were closed. Wasatch Street from Kiowa Street to Boulder Street both north and southbound lanes were closed. Prospect Street from Bijou Street to Platte Avenue was also closed. Those roads were closed until about 6 p.m.
The investigation has been turned over to the El Paso County Sheriff's Office. The Colorado Springs police officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave as is policy after officer-involved shootings.
