2 Pueblo Police officers shot and injured after overnight pursuit, suspect dead

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) - A man is dead and two Pueblo Police Department (PPD) officers were injured Saturday night during an exchange of gunfire at an apartment complex following a reported home invasion.

One of the officers was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The incident began around 11:09 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10, when the Pueblo Police Communications Center received a report of a home invasion in the 1600 block of Gaylord Avenue. According to officers, they were then advised that the suspect fled the area in a Dodge Ram.

Officers spotted the vehicle near Jones Avenue and Brimmer Avenue and initiated a pursuit. The driver abandoned the truck on Regency Boulevard and ran into an apartment complex.

According to police, they tracked the man to an upstairs apartment and knocked on the door while identifying themselves as law enforcement. When the suspect opened the door, gunfire broke out between the suspect and the officers.

Medical personnel treated the suspect at the scene, where he was pronounced dead. No members of the public were injured during the incident.

In accordance with department policy, the involved police officers and dispatchers have been placed on administrative leave.

The Pueblo County Coroner's Office is identifying the man killed as 36-year-old Luis Antonio Morales.

Pueblo Mayor Heather Graham released a statement about the shooting on social media:

"Last night, another Police officer in our department was shot this makes 5 in two years.

We are so very lucky and deeply grateful that no lives were lost. I want to thank the women and men who protect our city through the night, every night. Their courage, their vigilance, and their willingness to run toward danger and the healthcare workers who continue to have to provide care after shots have been fired. Your swift actions are the reason why these are only shootings and not deaths.

To every officer who puts on the badge knowing the risks, who stepped into the darkness to keep our residents safe thank you. Your service matters. Your sacrifice matters.

As pure evil continues to strike our city, we do not bend. We stand tall. We stand together. And we will continue working every day to build a safer, stronger Pueblo for all. I wish you a speedy recovery, thank you for protecting our people and thank you for never running away from danger."

On Monday, PPD says one officer was still in the hospital with non-life threatening injuries, and the second officer was recovering and they were evaluating the extent of their injuries.

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