Pueblo Police shoot, kill man suspected of shooting officer
The man who was killed early Tuesday after shooting a Pueblo police officer has been identified as 21-year-old Christopher Tavares of Colorado Springs.
Police said just after 3 a.m., officers were investigating in the area of 11th and Greenwood streets after hearing gunfire.
“They came across a suspicious vehicle,” said Pueblo Police Sgt. Eric Gonzalez. “The vehicle took off, and there was a short pursuit.”
The vehicle, a green sedan, crashed on Craig Street, and police said that’s when Tavares aimed his gun at an officer, shooting him in the shoulder.
That officer has not been named, but police said he is doing well and recovering in the hospital.
Tavares took off, but officers found him less than an hour later near Highway 50 and Elizabeth Street. Police said Tavares was shot and killed after he refused to listen to a detective’s commands and tried to flee.
Grant Franco lives near 11th and Greenwood Street where Tavares’ car crashed.
“I just heard a bunch of shots fired and a big crash, and I thought it was fireworks or something like that,” said Franco.
He said he saw several people run from the car, and one man even knocked on his door, then took off running when he didn’t answer.
Police said the other two people in the car with Tavares were taken into custody Tuesday.
They have been identified as 22-year-old Marquis Robinson and 21-year-old Kenneth Hastings of Colorado Springs.
Police said Robinson was driving the vehicle and took off when officers tried to pull them over. He led officers on a short chase before crashing into a light pole on Craig Street. That’s when Robinson, Hastings, and Tavares took off running in different directions.
Robinson and Hastings were caught shortly after.
Robinson was charged with eluding, resisting arrest and driving under restraint. Hasting was interviewed and released.
On Facebook, Tavares friends and family posted shocked reactions to what happened. His sister declined comment, but agreed to share a photo of her brother.
