Off-duty firefighter shot in downtown Pueblo
PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) - An off-duty firefighter was shot during a drive-by shooting in downtown Pueblo early Sunday morning, and police are still looking for a suspect after misidentifying a man as the shooter.
Joey Gutierrez, the Pueblo Fire Union President, said several off-duty firefighters in plain clothes were outside the Pueblo FD Union Building on the 100 block of North Main Street waiting for a pizza to arrive.
While waiting for food, the firefighters noticed a group of men come out of a bar and begin to harass an individual with mental disabilities that was walking by.
Pueblo police said the individual was a homeless man who was apparently experiencing some sort of mental health issue.
The firefighters told the group of men to leave the individual alone and the men left.
A short while later, police said an individual fired several rounds in the firefighter's direction from a sedan that was parked outside of a nearby establishment. The victim was hit once in the leg.
Gutierrez says the firefighter who was hit was taken to the hospital, he is in stable condition and recovering.
Detectives believe that the vehicle involved in this incident is a 90s model Buick. Detectives say they need help finding the owner of the vehicle, 41-year-old Tonya Albach-Ortega.
BREAKING: A Pueblo Firefighter is currently recovering in the hospital after being shot in the leg during a drive by shooting outside the Fire Union building at the 100 block of North Main Street. Full story tonight at 4,5, and 6 @SeanRiceTV @KRDONC13
— Dan Beedie KRDO (@BeedieonTV) June 8, 2021
KRDO also reached out to the Pueblo Fire Department, which said it cannot comment while it is an active criminal investigation.
The Pueblo Police Department had identified a man Tuesday evening as a suspect wanted for the shooting and published his photo. However, on Wednesday morning, the department said that man was "ruled out as the shooter." The department didn't explain why the man was misidentified as a suspect.
If you have any information about this incident, including the whereabouts of Gallegos or the suspect vehicle, please call Detective Ryan Torres at (719)-320-6037. To remain anonymous, contact Pueblo Crime Stoppers at (719)-542-7867 (542-7867) or the Pueblo Crime Stoppers website. If your information leads to a felony arrest, you could be eligible for a cash reward.
