The Grand Junction Police Department is releasing the following information on behalf of the 21st Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team.
Shortly after 10:30pm on Thursday, February 3rd, a trooper with the Colorado State Patrol initiated a traffic stop on a passenger car in the area of N. 1st Street and Gunnison Avenue in Grand Junction. The car was occupied by an adult female driver and an adult male passenger. During the course of the traffic stop, the trooper aired over his radio that shots had been fired and that the male passenger had fled on foot.
Law enforcement with the Grand Junction Police Department and the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office immediately responded to the area to assist and began a search for the male passenger. The female driver of the vehicle remained on scene with law enforcement. During the course of the search, the Grand Junction Regional Communication Center received a phone call from a reporting party who stated that an unknown male with a gun had entered his home. The male left the house without incident. Officers responded to that area and with the assistance of a GJPD K9, the male passenger was apprehended in the 300 Block of Gunnison Avenue just before midnight.
The trooper involved in this incident was not injured. The suspect suffered minor injuries during the apprehension. He was evaluated at a local hospital and was released to the custody of law enforcement. There is no ongoing threat to the community related to this incident.
It’s important to note that this investigation is in the very early stages, and this preliminary information is subject to change. Members of the Critical Incident Response Team will conduct interviews of witnesses and involved persons in this case over the coming days.
Expect continued police presence in the area of this incident while investigators continue to process the scene of this incident for additional evidence, including the potential closure of roads in the area. Additional details will be released as appropriate with sensitivity to the ongoing investigation.
The Colorado State Patrol will be responsible for releasing the name of the involved trooper. As per their agency’s policy, the trooper will be placed on administrative leave.
Investigators are seeking information and video of this incident. Anyone with information or video of this incident, please call the non-emergency dispatch at (970)242-6707.
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, Colorado Department of Corrections, 21st Judicial District Attorney’s Office, and Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Because Colorado State Patrol personnel were involved in this incident, the Grand Junction Police Department is leading this investigation on behalf of CIRT.