Officers involved in deadly Pueblo shooting identified
The Pueblo Police Department has released the names of two officers who were involved in a deadly shooting last week.
The shooting happened on the morning of March 24, 2016. Joel Gonzales, 48, was killed.
The officers were identified Wednesday as Dassity Miller and Hunter Lewis.
Miller has been with the department for just over three years. Lewis has been with the department for just under three years. Both officers are assigned to the patrol unit.
The shooting happened in the 2600 block of 8th Ave. around 4:30 a.m.
The Police Department says that officers went to the home after receiving a report of a fight involving family members. It says when the officers arrived, they found Gonzales in the house holding a gun in one hand and a knife in the other.
Police say the officers repeatedly ordered Gonzales to drop the weapons, but he refused. They say the officers shot Gonzales when he advanced toward them.
“Nobody ever wants to be involved in a situation like this. Unfortunately, that’s what our job entails,” Officer Brandon Beauvais said.
The two officers who were involved in the shooting were not hurt. They have been placed on paid administrative leave.
Both officers were wearing body cameras, and both cameras were recording when the shooting happened.
The 10th Judicial District Critical Incident Team is investigating the shooting.
This is Pueblo’s first officer-involved shooting since last January.