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Man Holds People At Gunpoint On Independence Pass

PITKIN COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - A man is in custody after prompting an evacuation of an area off Independence Pass Wednesday evening.

Authorities in Pitkin County received a call at 5:15 p.m. reporting a disturbance on Lincoln Creek Road off Highway 82. Poor cell phone service limited the information available, but other callers also reported a male was pointing a gun at others in the area.

A campground can be found at the beginning of Lincoln Creek Road, which is 11 miles east of Aspen, on seasonal Independence Pass. This highway was experiencing greater traffic than normal due to the closure of Interstate 70 through Glenwood canyon.

Responding officers were advised by radio that shots were being fired. Upon arrival, they found a man was near two vehicles holding another man against his will.

Deputies evacuated several people from the area and attempted to communicate with the suspect, identified as 30-year-old Brolin J. McConnell of Colorado Springs.

McConnell fired several shots. It's unknown if they were intended to strike deputies.

When the hostage saw an opportunity to flee, he ran from the scene, at which time deputies approached McConnell and took him into custody.

He was taken to the Pitkin County Jail, where he was charged with First Degree Kidnapping and Prohibited Use of a Weapon. The incident is still under investigation.

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