A Lakewood Police Department officer was killed and three others were injured in a shooting Thursday evening on or near a Regional Transportation District bus.
The suspect, a man, was shot and killed by police. A passerby was also injured during the incident.
Lakewood police said they were called to the intersection of West Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard on reports of a suspicious person around 6:30 p.m. When officers arrived, police said the suspect — who was trying to board the bus — began shooting at them.
RTD posted about the shooting on social media, saying it was “deeply concerned” about a shooting that occurred “on board” one of its buses
“Our hearts go out to those directly affected by this incident,” RTD said in its message.
A Lakewood police spokesman, John Romero, said he did not know whether the shooting took place on or just outside the bus.
“I believe it was on the bus,” he told reporters at a news conference at the scene of the shooting Thursday evening, “but I don’t have that information to confirm with you at this time.”
Police have not released the names of the officers killed or those injured, nor have they identified the suspect.
“It appears the suspect was involved – perhaps – in a hit-and-run earlier today,” Romero said. “We’ll post more tomorrow.”
Romero did not share information on the condition of the three injured officers, but said they were being treated at one or more hospitals.
“Right now, our primary concern is the family of our fallen officer and our officers here at the Lakewood Police Department,” Romero said. “We just want the family to know that we love them, that we are here for them. The Lakewood Police Department is a family and we will be there for each other.”
Images from a television news helicopter showed a large police presence around a bus at the intersection where the shooting occurred. A long line of law enforcement vehicles lined up outside Denver Health Medical Center ahead of a motorcade, apparently for the officer killed in the shooting.
Gov. Jared Polis said in a written statement that he was heartbroken by the shooting.
“My heart goes out to their family and friends,” Polis said of the slain officer. “My thoughts are also with the three officers who are still receiving treatment in area hospitals, as well as the injured civilian, and I wish them a speedy and full recovery. Thank you to the law enforcement officers who put themselves in harm’s way to keep us safe and protect our communities.”
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