Two Colorado State Patrol troopers who were shot during a traffic stop early Tuesday morning are expected to recover after driving themselves to a hospital, and the suspect who wounded them died after a confrontation with a Teller County sheriff’s deputy, authorities said.
Sequence of the incident
State patrol officials said the confrontation began about 7 a.m. on Highway 24 when troopers attempted to stop a vehicle described as a blue Subaru Impreza. The driver, a white man with facial hair whose name has not been released, fled and then opened fire on the troopers, according to investigators.
Later, law enforcement said the man also fired on Teller County deputies who were trying to apprehend him. A deputy shot the suspect; he was taken by Flight For Life to a hospital and later pronounced dead.
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| ~7:00 a.m. | Traffic stop attempted on Highway 24; suspect opens fire on troopers |
| ~8:00 a.m. | Homeowner reports a contractor matching the suspect’s description; deputies dispatched |
| Shortly after | Confrontation and exchange of gunfire with Teller County deputy; suspect shot and flown to hospital |
Officials praise rapid response and public assistance
State Patrol Chief Matthew Packard said both troopers were shot multiple times but were able to drive themselves to the hospital and walked into the emergency department. One trooper has already been released.
“If you shoot a Colorado State Trooper, the world is coming for you,” said Packard during a Tuesday afternoon news briefing.
Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell told reporters the suspect was shot during a gunfight with one of his deputies and credited a community tip for helping bring the encounter to a close. He described the suspect’s actions as repeated attempts to kill law enforcement officers across several engagements within a short distance.
Local impact and public safety measures
Authorities briefly issued a shelter-in-place warning for subdivisions near Woodland Park, later lifting that advisory after the suspect was located and neutralized. Officials have not released the suspect’s identity or any motive for the shootings; the investigation remains active and is being conducted by state and local law enforcement agencies.
Law enforcement credited cooperation across multiple agencies for the rapid resolution of the case. Chief Packard specifically highlighted the immediate response as a factor in bringing the incident to an end and in ensuring the troopers were transported for treatment quickly.
What officials say next
Authorities have said little beyond the initial press conference and the details they released at the scene. Investigators will likely process evidence from multiple locations, interview witnesses, and assemble a timeline to determine the full sequence of events and whether additional charges or civil matters may follow.
- Both troopers were shot and transported to a hospital; both are expected to survive.
- The suspect was shot by a Teller County deputy and later died at a hospital.
- A homeowner’s tip was pivotal in locating the suspect.
Residents in Teller County and along the Highway 24 corridor were urged to remain vigilant and to report any information that might relate to the case. Authorities did not release details about the hospital where the troopers or suspect were treated or identify the deputy involved in the shooting.
Further updates are expected as the investigation continues and as officials release additional information about the suspect and the circumstances that led to three separate exchanges of gunfire in close proximity.
Reporting for WE NEWS — Colorado.
