Armed shoplifting suspect dead after Pueblo officer hits them with patrol car

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) – Colorado State Patrol (CSP) has confirmed a police chase outside a Famous Footwear in Pueblo on Tuesday turned deadly when a shoplifting suspect pulled a gun on police and was subsequently hit by a Pueblo patrol car.

According to CSP, the incident began at around 1:23 p.m. on June 3, when officers with the Pueblo Police Department (PPD) attempted to contact a shoplifting suspect at the Famous Footwear in the Pueblo Crossing shopping center off I-25.

CSP said the suspect then ran from the store on foot, prompting officers to pursue both on foot and in a patrol vehicle through the area behind nearby businesses.

During that pursuit, CSP says the suspect led police toward the front entrance of the Colorado State Patrol Office in Pueblo, where they drew a handgun.

When the suspect failed to comply with demands to drop the weapon, a responding officer struck them with a patrol vehicle, CSP said.

PPD confirmed to KRDO13 that officers administered medical aid at the scene; however, the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.

The suspect has not yet been identified, but CSP said the Pueblo County Coroner’s Office will release the individual's name once proper notifications have been made.

PPD stated that the Colorado State Patrol will lead the investigation, with CSP confirming that the 10th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) has already been activated.

As of 2:14 p.m., a KRDO13 crew could see a large police presence, and the building was marked off with evidence tape.

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