In a tense and chaotic encounter captured on body-worn camera, a Colorado Springs police officer took a split-second decision that shocked viewers—and now, you’ll find out exactly what happened next.
Shortly after midnight, emergency dispatchers received reports of a disturbance in downtown Colorado Springs. Witnesses described a man brandishing what looked like a rifle and acting aggressively near nightclubs. Surveillance units with the Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) quickly zeroed in on the individual, prompting an urgent response from field officers.
At around 1:49 a.m., officers spotted the suspect near Pikes Peak Avenue. The suspect appears on camera entering a vehicle and pulling a handgun with an extended magazine from his waistband—immediately confirming the threat.
The officer’s body camera footage reveals the moment he makes contact. The suspect initially raises his hands, momentarily appearing compliant. But in a jarring shift, he turns and bolts—reaching for his waistband as he runs. That moment sealed his fate. The officer fires three times, hitting the suspect in the back.
Emergency responders rush to the scene and begin life-saving measures, but tragically, the suspect is pronounced dead on the spot. Authorities later identify him as a 26-year-old male.
Two firearms are recovered after the incident: a loaded Glock 17 with an illegal extended magazine, found on the suspect, and another Glock 43 with a scratched-off serial number located inside the vehicle.
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office has taken over the investigation, and the District Attorney’s Office will determine whether the officer’s use of deadly force complied with Colorado law.
