Thornton shooting leads to police pursuit in Castle Rock; One person shot, another in custody

CASTLE ROCK, Colo. (KRDO)-- A shooting in Thornton that eventually turned into a police pursuit in Castle Rock, has found one person shot and in the hospital for treatment and another in custody. 

On Wednesday, October 11, at around 5 a.m., Thornton Police Department Officers reported attempting to contact a possibly stolen vehicle when the driver of the car took off. 

Officer involved shooting that started in Thornton. Vehicle was pursed into Castle Rock. DCSO deputies were involved. 1 suspect shot, on the way to the hospital. 2nd person in custody, Deputies and officers not injured. pic.twitter.com/EX76reig1I

— DC Sheriff (@dcsheriff) October 11, 2023

The suspects were reported to have fired at officers at least twice during the initial pursuit. 

The pursuit continued into Douglas County where eventually deputies with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) took over the incident around County Line Rd. and I-25. 

The driver was reported to have failed to pull over and continued driving in a reckless manner, swerving toward a DCSO deputy’s patrol car before getting off at exit 182/Wolfensberger Rd. in Castle Rock.

The DCSO reports the driver continued west and then turned south on Plum Creek Pkwy. That’s when deputies deployed stop sticks, which were successful, according to the DCSO, but the driver was reported to have also swerved towards the deputy as he was setting out the stop sticks.

As the driver continued on Plum Creek Pkwy, the DCSO stated they intentionally crashed into the front of the 7-11 store–just east of Wilcox St. 

The clerk and customer present at the time of the incident were both unharmed.

As deputies surrounded the car they reported the driver then pointed a firearm at the deputies after they refused commands to put the weapon down.

Deputies reported firing at the suspect, hitting him several times.

The passenger, now identified as Hannah Woolard, 37, was taken into custody and was reported to be uninjured as a result of the altercation.

The driver, on the other hand, identified as Kyle Williamson, 32, was transported to a local hospital and is expected to survive.

No deputies were injured following the incident but the DCSO reported the deputies involved have now been put on administrative leave per department policy and investigation efforts are still underway.