Man shot after pointing rifle at Colorado Springs officers; investigation underway

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - The El Paso County Sheriff's Office has taken over the investigation into a fatal shooting involving Colorado Springs Police officers.

The four officers responded to a domestic disturbance call just before 10 p.m. Sunday, on the 3200 block of Oak Creek Dr. East. A woman told police dispatchers that a man was armed with a rifle.

When the officers arrived at the scene they located the suspect, identified as 28-year-old Virgill Thorpe, outside of the home. When they tried to talk to him, investigators say Thorpe ran back inside and grabbed a rifle, then pointed it at the officers. The officers then opened fire, striking Thorpe at least one time.

The suspect was taken to the hospital with serious injuries but later died.

The four officers have been placed on routine administrative leave in accordance with Colorado Springs Police Department policy. There is no known threat to the public.

The El Paso County Sheriff's Office says with the stay-at-home order keeping more families at home together, this may not be the last domestic disturbance call they respond to during the shutdown.

"I know at one point there was a misconception of crime rates being low because of the stay-at-home order," says Deborah Mynatt, Public Information Officer for the El Paso County Sheriff's Office. "We want to look at the research and look at the data to see if it is true."

This is a developing story. We will bring you new information as soon as we learn it.