Pueblo suspect killed in OIS identified Tuesday
Evidence markers at the main crime scene show that Pueblo police fired at least 60 times at a man being sought for domestic violence, shooting at officers and leading them on a high-speed pursuit Monday.
On Tuesday, the Pueblo County Coroner’s Office identified the man as Joe Delira-Alires, 35, of Pueblo.
Police wouldn’t say how many shots were fired, nor how many times Delira-Alires was hit.
“That’s all part of the investigation,” said Pueblo Police Department spokesman Brandon Beauvais.
Police said they responded to a call in the 2600 block of East Ninth Street, on the city’s eastern edge, around 6:15 p.m. Monday after a former female partner of Delira-Alires said he had confined her and her children in her home.
“He was outside firing a handgun into the air,” Beauvais said. “There were multiple rapid-firing shots. For safety reasons we didn’t go running up to the house immediately.”
Police said when Delira-Alires saw officers approaching, he sped away in his SUV. Efforts to use stop sticks to halt the vehicle at the intersection of Fourth Street and Hudson Avenue were unsuccessful.
A technique known as a pit maneuver using a patrol car finally stopped the SUV near the intersection of 13th and Craig streets on the city’s west side.
But the incident was about to become more dangerous.
“He got out of the vehicle and ran about a block, armed with a handgun and firing multiple rounds at officers,” Beauvais said. “They ultimately had to use deadly force to end the situation.”
Police did not say whether Delira-Alires had been in trouble before.
Several streets in the area remained closed Tuesday night, illuminated by bright portable lights, and crime scene tape hung from trees, fences, power poles and sign posts.
Unlike jurisdictions in El Paso County, Pueblo police remain involved in the shooting investigation. The Pueblo Sheriff’s Office, however, is the lead agency and is supported by the district attorney’s office, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and the Colorado State Patrol.
Steve and Kelly Galvan own a bed-and-breakfast near the shooting scene.
“We hit the floor and stayed there for several minutes,” Kelly Galvan said. “It was scary. We didn’t know what was going on. Luckily, we didn’t have any guests that night. We had some tonight and we told them about the investigation. They’re coming anyway.”
Police wouldn’t say how many officers were involved in the shootout and, therefore, will be placed on paid administrative leave during the investigation.
“It’s definitely a strain on our resources,” Beauvais said. “We’re trying to free up some of the vehicles involved, for our next shift coming in, and they have to be inspected before returning to the street.”
No officers or civilians were hurt.
