A deadly police shooting occurred early Monday morning in Lakewood, Colorado, near the Belmar shopping area.
Officers shot and killed a suspect after he allegedly pointed a gun at them during a trespassing call.
The incident took place behind Best Buy, and the investigation is ongoing.
Incident Overview
The shooting took place at around 3:30 a.m. on December 2, 2024, behind the Best Buy store in the Belmar area.
Lakewood police officers were responding to a call from security guards reporting a trespasser on the property.
Upon arrival, officers encountered a white male who, according to police, pointed a firearm at them.
In response, the officers opened fire, striking the suspect. He was taken to a local hospital but was later pronounced dead from his injuries.
No officers were injured during the incident, and the identity of the suspect has not been released pending next-of-kin notification.
Police Response and Investigation
The two officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure following such incidents.
The 1st Judicial District Critical Incident Review Team is now leading the investigation into the events that led to the shooting.
As of the morning following the incident, the investigation remains active.
West Alaska Drive, which runs near the scene, was closed between South Wadsworth Boulevard and South Vance Street for several hours as authorities processed the area.
The closure affected parts of the Belmar shopping district, though most of the area remained accessible to the public.
Context and Recent Incidents
This tragic event is the third officer-involved shooting in the Denver metro area since Thanksgiving.
The area has seen a rise in such incidents, with police encountering armed suspects who they say posed a threat.
On December 1, a fatal shooting occurred in Adams County, where deputies shot a man who reportedly approached them with an axe.
In addition, the Aurora Police Department was involved in a separate shooting incident on Thanksgiving night.
Officers responded to reports of gunfire and, after encountering an armed suspect, were forced to return fire.
The suspect survived and was hospitalized, but no officers were injured.
