The Grand Junction Police Department is releasing the following information on behalf of the 21st Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) about an officer-involved shooting that occurred on 10/20/23 involving the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office.
The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 500 block of 31 ½ Rd to contact a wanted male suspect on 10/20/23, at approximately 9:40 p.m. Once in contact with the suspect, the suspect responded with force and an officer-involved shooting occurred. Law enforcement personnel rendered medical aid until paramedics arrived on scene. The suspect was transported to the hospital with undetermined injuries. No further information will be released at this time.
It is important to note that this investigation is in the early stages, and this preliminary information is subject to change. Members of the Critical Incident Response Team will continue to conduct interviews of witnesses and involved persons in this case over the coming days. Additional details will be released as appropriate, with sensitivity to the ongoing investigation.
The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for releasing the names of their involved deputies. As is standard protocol with any officer-involved shooting, the Mesa County Sheriff’s deputies involved have been placed on paid administrative leave. An internal investigation will take place separate from the criminal investigation being conducted by the CIRT. This incident remains under investigation by the CIRT.
All officer-involved shootings in Mesa County are investigated by the 21st Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team, which is comprised of representatives of the Grand Junction Police Department, Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, Fruita Police Department, Palisade Police Department, Colorado State Patrol, 21st Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Colorado Department of Corrections-Division of Adult Parole, and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. The CIRT is activated when a law enforcement agency is involved in a critical incident to ensure an independent investigation. Because Mesa County Sheriff’s Office personnel were involved in this incident, the Grand Junction Police Department is leading this investigation on behalf of the CIRT.