Fountain officer-involved shooting after a car chase, ruled justified

The Fountain officer-involved-shooting that took place in September was ruled justified on Friday. El Paso County Sheriff’s Deputy, Cesar Talavera, attempted to stop a Chevy pickup truck that was traveling 52 mph in a 35 mph zone. The driver, later identified as Robert William Zupko Jr, failed to stop for the red light at Powers and Fontaine. According to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, Zupko’s reckless behavior continued so another pursuit was initiated. Sometime during the pursuit, multiple Sheriff’s Office and Fountain Police Department vehicles were rammed including Deputy Cesar Talavera’s, Sgt. Sheyna Marshall’s, and Brett Ryder’s. They were all taken to the hospital. According to authorities, Zupko even drove at high speeds into oncoming traffic, forcing vehicles to “take evasive action in order to avoid being struck.” The second pursuit ended in a cul-de-sac in Fountain where shots were fired by two Fountain police officers and one El Paso County deputy. Those include: Corporal Noah Walter Officer Matthew Angoy Deputy Cody Jaworksi Jaworski suffered minor injuries during the incident and was released. The other two were not injured.

Zupko did get shot and was taken to the hospital with a non-life-threatening injury. He has recovered from his injuries and is facing several charges, including five counts of Attempted First Degree Murder-Extreme Indifference, a Class 2 Felony.

His next court appearance is a Review Hearing set for January 23, 2018.