Fremont County man shot by law enforcement

A Fremont County man is in stable condition after being shot by a Caon City police officer and a Fremont County sheriff’s deputy.

According to a joint release, the shooting happened around 11:20 Wednesday night.

It started with Fremont County deputies trying to find 46-year-old John Freyta, of Fremont County, who was accused of violating a protection order.

Police said Freyta ran from officers who tried to stop him, heading west on Highway 50. Deputies followed Freyta to the entrance of Skyline Drive. Police said he turned around and began heading east.

Freyta then headed down Tunnel Drive to the parking area at the base of the hiking trail, then to the locked gates at the trailhead.

A Caon City police officer and a Fremont County sheriff’s deputy confronted Freyta, and he was shot three times, police said. He was struck twice in the side and once in the elbow. His injuries are believed to be non-life-threatening.

Caon City Police Chief Paul Schultz would not say whether or not Freyta was armed during the confrontation because it’s part of an ongoing investigation.

“We didn’t say he didn’t have a gun and we didn’t say he didn’t have a weapon, that’s under investigation yet. But of course, if an officer feels their life is in danger, they are allowed to defend themselves,” said Schultz.

Freyta was airlifted to Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs. He was last listed in stable condition.

The officer and deputy involved have been placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation, which is standard practice, officials said. The investigation also will determine whether both officers shot the suspect or just one of them.

It’s the first officer-involved shooting in Caon City and Fremont County in more than a year.

“It’s very unfortunate. We wish it wouldn’t have happened,” said Schultz.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation is leading the investigation into this shooting.