Second officer-involved shooting of 2018 in Pueblo

Pueblo police faced a split-second decision Tuesday night when a man who violated a restraining order pulled out a gun.

Before any officers were hurt, two of them fired shots, killing the suspect identified as Steven Peters, a 55-year-old from Pueblo.

“I just heard two shots and that’s when I started seeing muzzle flashes from the officer’s guns,” said Brandon, who lives in the 900 block of 8th Street.

Brandon saw the situation unfold from his house and he recorded it as it happened.

“He’s somebody’s family member. No matter what he’s done,” Brandon said.

This is the second time this year Pueblo police have had to make the decision to protect themselves when they had a gun pointed at them, leaving the Critical Incident Team to piece together exactly what happened.

The first happened in January on the city’s west side.

Eight officers were involved in that case where at least 60 shots were fired, based on the shell casings left behind in the street.

Capt. Kenny Rider said it’s a decision no officer wants to make.

“If we make the decision to use deadly force, it’s because it’s warranted. And we don’t shoot to injure, we don’t shoot to drop a weapon out of someone’s hand, we’re not that good. We’re going to aim for the center of mass,” Rider said.

The eight officers involved in the January shooting are now back at work but resources are always strained when anyone is put on leave.

“Obviously, for the officers involved it’s very taxing, I mean it’s psychologically it’s hard on them,” Rider said.

The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigations into both of these shootings, determining with the district attorney if they were justified.

The officers involved in Tuesday night’s shooting are on routine paid administrative leave.