In the early hours of March 3, 2025, a critical incident unfolded in Fort Collins, Colorado, prompting the activation of the Eighth Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) to investigate an officer-involved shooting. The incident, which began as a routine traffic stop, quickly escalated into a dangerous and chaotic sequence of events that ended with a suspect being shot by a Larimer County Sheriff’s Office Deputy.
The incident began around 2:45 a.m. when a deputy from the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office initiated a traffic stop in the area of Prospect Road and Riverside Avenue in Fort Collins. The circumstances surrounding the traffic stop are still under investigation, but what followed would rapidly spiral out of control. After the deputy had stopped the vehicle, the female driver complied with the deputy’s orders and exited the vehicle. However, the situation took an unexpected turn when the male passenger in the vehicle switched seats and began driving off, leaving the scene.
As the driver sped off, deputies immediately activated their sirens and lights, signaling their intent to pursue the fleeing vehicle. The driver of the suspect vehicle, refusing to stop, led law enforcement on a high-speed chase through the streets of north Fort Collins. The pursuit continued for several miles, with the suspect eluding deputies despite their efforts to bring the situation to a safe conclusion.
The chase finally came to an abrupt end when the vehicle left the roadway in the 2600 block of Terry Lake Road/Highway 1 and crashed into a ditch. This crash marked a temporary halt to the suspect’s flight, but it also triggered a series of dangerous actions that would put both law enforcement and the suspect at significant risk.
Upon exiting the vehicle, the suspect, who was later identified as an adult male, was seen approaching the deputies who had arrived on the scene. What occurred next escalated the tension of the situation: the suspect was holding a knife in his hand. It is unclear at this stage whether the suspect made any threatening gestures toward the deputies, but the presence of the weapon was enough to place law enforcement officers in a highly precarious position.
In a desperate attempt to gain control of the situation and prevent further escalation, the suspect then entered an unoccupied patrol cruiser that had been left at the scene. Once inside, he began driving the vehicle around the deputies who were on foot, further compounding the danger. The deputies, now facing a potentially volatile situation, attempted to contain the suspect and prevent any harm from coming to themselves or others in the area.
At this point, one of the deputies, fearing for their safety and that of others, discharged their duty weapon, striking the suspect. The suspect was immediately incapacitated, and deputies approached the cruiser to remove him from the vehicle. Once the suspect was removed from the cruiser, deputies began to administer first aid in an attempt to stabilize his condition until medical personnel could arrive on the scene.
Despite the best efforts of law enforcement, the suspect sustained serious injuries and had to be transported to the hospital for treatment. The situation, while resolved for the time being, has left a number of unanswered questions. What prompted the suspect’s flight from the initial traffic stop? Did he intend to harm the deputies or others during the incident? These and other questions are likely to be addressed in the investigation that is now underway.
In accordance with protocol, the Eighth Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) was activated to take over the investigation of the officer-involved shooting. The CIRT is a specialized team designed to handle incidents involving law enforcement officers discharging their weapons, and their involvement ensures an independent investigation is conducted to maintain transparency and public trust.
Fort Collins Police Services has been designated as the lead investigating agency in this case, with support from other local law enforcement agencies. The decision to activate CIRT underscores the gravity of the situation and the importance of ensuring that all aspects of the incident are thoroughly examined.
As the investigation continues, law enforcement agencies are expected to release more information to the public regarding the details of the incident. It is important to note that at this stage, the identity of the suspect has not been publicly disclosed, and additional details about his condition and the extent of his injuries will likely come to light as the investigation progresses.
This officer-involved shooting serves as a reminder of the inherent dangers faced by law enforcement officers on a daily basis. In this case, deputies were faced with a suspect who was determined to evade arrest, had a weapon in hand, and took actions that placed both law enforcement and innocent bystanders at risk. The decision to use force, while always a last resort, was made under extreme duress, and it remains to be seen whether the use of deadly force was justified in this particular case.
The activation of CIRT and the involvement of Fort Collins Police Services ensures that a thorough and impartial investigation will be conducted. This process is essential not only for determining whether the use of force was appropriate but also for providing transparency and accountability to the public, especially in cases where a law enforcement officer discharges their weapon.
The community of Fort Collins, and the broader region of Larimer County, will be watching closely as the investigation unfolds. The Eighth Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team will continue to work diligently to gather all available evidence, speak with witnesses, and review the actions of all parties involved to ensure that a comprehensive understanding of the events is reached.
In the coming weeks, we expect to see more updates on the status of the investigation, including any findings regarding the suspect’s background, the events leading up to the traffic stop, and the actions of the law enforcement officers involved in the incident. As with all officer-involved shootings, it is crucial that the public trusts the investigative process, knowing that it will be handled with the utmost care and objectivity.
In the meantime, residents of Fort Collins are reminded of the complexities that law enforcement officers face when responding to incidents like this. The presence of a weapon, the suspect’s erratic behavior, and the subsequent crash all contributed to the dangerous nature of the situation. While the outcome was tragic for the suspect, the law enforcement officers involved acted swiftly and decisively to ensure that the situation did not escalate further.
As this investigation continues, we urge the public to remain patient and allow the necessary time for a complete and fair review of all the facts. The Eighth Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team will provide updates as appropriate, and it is hoped that the investigation will shed light on the circumstances that led to the officer-involved shooting and help bring clarity to a difficult and sensitive situation.
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