Authorities clear from scene of officer shooting in Colorado Springs

Traffic returned to normal on Thursday evening as authorities reopened streets and removed barricades and crime tape 12 hours after a Colorado Springs police officer was shot.

Sections of Boulder Street and Platte Avenue east of Union Boulevard had been closed since the shooting just before 3 a.m. Thursday involving Officer Cem Duzel and the suspect, Karrar Noaman Al-Khammasi, 31.

The streets reopened at 5 p.m. Thursday.

Authorities are investigating the suspect’s apparent motive. He’s accused of firing shots in the area before being confronted by Duzel, the first responding officer.

Duzel underwent surgery at nearby UC-Memorial Hospital and was listed in critical condition Thursday.

Khammasi also was taken to the hospital but isn’t seriously injured, authorities said.

Neighbors say this is the fourth shooting in the neighborhood in two years, including one in which police shot a homicide suspect to death.

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation.