Mayor: Sad Day In Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs police say they don’t know what touched off a series of shootings that left four people dead and two wounded.
Police Sgt. Steve Noblitt says the three bursts of gunfire Wednesday night were unrelated and occurred in different areas of the city.
Mira Loma Circle shooting
Family members told KRDO NEWSCHANNEL 13 that three teenagers were killed in a shooting on Mira Loma Circle Wednesday Night. The drive-by shooting, happened in the 5200 block of Mira Loma Circle. That’s near North Academy Boulevard and Flintridge.
Neighbors called 911 around 10:25 p.m. after they said they heard about a dozen gunshots fired.
Family members tell us the three teens killed were Austin Howse, 16, Aaron Fix, also 16, and Wayne Fix, 19.
Howse’s mother, Sharon, told us her son was always a “good kid” who preferred to stay home rather than go out at night.
Sharon told us her son loved his family and friends unconditionally and that she could not understand who would want to hurt her son.
Police said they have no suspect information, no get-away vehicle information, and no possible motive.
Sharon asked that anyone who may have seen something Wednesday night, call CSPD at 444-7000. You can remain anonymous by calling Crimestoppers at 634-STOP.
A fund has been set up to help the Howse family pay for funeral arrangements. If you would like to donate, go to any ENT Bank branch and reference the Austin Howse Memorial Fund. The account number is 562839.
A candlelight vigil has been scheduled for Thursday night at Russell Middle School starting at 8:30 p.m.
One dead in AutoZone shooting
KRDO crews have confirmed that one person is dead tonight after what police are calling a robbery gone wrong.
Officers continue to search for the suspect Wednesday night.
Early reports indicate the shooting happened just after 8 p.m. Wednesday, inside the AutoZone at Palmer Park and Powers Blvd.
One person inside the store was shot in the chest, the other victim was found in the store parking lot.
One died at the scene, while the other was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.
Witnesses describe the man as a bald white male in his mid-30s or 40s, with a neck tattoo.
Police are looking into reports that the suspect may have commandeered his getaway car at gunpoint, dropping the car’s owner off at a Village Inn restaurant several blocks from the AutoZone.
Early reports that there was more than one suspect likely stemmed from witnesses who saw the suspect speeding away from the scene with his carjacking victim in the car.
Police eventually found the gray Oldsmobile Intrigue at Academy and Maizeland and were searching it for clues Wednesday night.
Man shot by officers remains hospitalized
A man shot by Colorado Springs Police officers remains in the hospital.
Police said they got a call about a disturbance at the Camelot Apartments on Murray and Airport Roads about 8:30 p.m.Wednesday. Police said when officers got there, they found a man with a gun in the parking lot. A CSPD spokesperson said the man ran into an apartment, and that’s where three officers fired at him. Police said they don’t believe the man ever shot at officers.
Police and the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office are now investigating. Police said the officers were not put on leave as of late Wednesday.
The shooting victim’s neighbor, Billy Holder, said the man is a college student and lives with his girlfriend and a small child. He said the man was yelling at his girlfriend and was burning her belongings outside of the apartment before police arrived.
Holder said he heard about eight gunshots after police got there, and was almost hit himself.
“One of the stray bullets went through our wall and hit our glass door,” said Holder. “It missed me by three to four feet. It was pretty scary.”
Holder said his pregnant fiancee was especially rattled.
“She ducked and grabbed the dog and headed toward the bedroom,” he said. “She was crying and everything.”
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“This is a sad day for Colorado Springs. The whole community mourns today with those who lost loved ones to senseless violence last night. Community involvement is critical in making sure those who perpetuate crimes are found and found quickly. I’m asking anyone in the community who has information about these crimes to contact our police department immediately. Information can be provided anonymously. I have full confidence in our police department, which is putting its full effort into finding the offenders so they can be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. As always, we need the community to join us in our public safety efforts and report suspicious activity as well as provide information they may have about criminal activity.”
– Mayor Steve Bach
