Homeowner arrested in police friendly fire death

Authorities say they’ve arrested the owner of the home where a 35-year-old Lakewood police officer was mistakenly shot by a fellow officer.

The homeowner, Joe Anthony Ruiz, is accused of firing gun shots that led to Friday’s deadly police response.

Officers had been investigating reports of a prowler in the neighborhood when they heard the gunfire. Police set up a perimeter around Ruiz’s house as they prepared to search the place.

Police say the officer who was killed – James Davies – was in the backyard and was in full uniform when another officer behind a fence shot him.

The Denver Post (http://bit.ly/UiA2Bu ) reports that the 37-year-old Ruiz was being held Sunday at the Jefferson County jail. He’s suspected of being a previous offender in possession of a weapon, tampering with evidence, reckless endangerment and other offenses.