Homicide, arson teams investigating body found inside burning car in Colorado Springs

The Colorado Springs Police Department is investigating a body found inside the shell of a burning car.

The call came in around 1:00 a.m. Tuesday when some bystanders saw the car burning in a parking lot at the corner of Cimarron and Sahwatch Streets.

“The car pulled into the lot here, I didn’t think anything of it because it was just sitting there,” said Chris Trimble, a witness to the fire.

CSPD officers on an unrelated issues were driving westbound on Cimarron Street and responded to the call immediately.

“A few minutes later I saw something out of the corner of my eye, and there was smoke coming up from the car,” Trimble said.

It wasn’t until the fire was completely out that they found evidence of human remains inside. Lt. Howard Black confirmed it was a man found inside the car.

Black said the man shot himself inside the car. Police say it’s unclear if he shot himself before or right after the car caught fire.

Police later found a suspicious package in the car that had possible explosive materials in it. The Metro Bomb Squad responded and safely disposed of the device.

“It could’ve gone terribly wrong for first responders,” said Lt. Black.

It is still unclear how the car caught fire, police say they don’t suspect it was from the explosives.

CSPD says there is no threat to the public.

This is a developing story. Stay with KRDO for updates.