1 officer killed, 3 injured as gunman opens fire on police in Colorado

One officer was killed and three others wounded in a firefight with a suspect in Lakewood, a suburb of Denver, Colorado, on Thursday evening. The shootout took place after police responded to a report of a suspicious person attempting to board a public bus. The suspect was also fatally shot by police during the exchange of gunfire. The shooting took place around 6.30pm when Lakewood police officers reached the bus following a call about the suspicious person, police spokesperson John Romero said during a news conference. The man opened fire as officers arrived. It was not immediately clear whether the shooting took place inside the bus or nearby. The three wounded officers were taken to hospital for treatment. Their conditions have not been disclosed. Another person was also injured in the incident, although the circumstances surrounding their injury remain unclear, Romero said. Police said the suspect may have been involved in a hit-and-run incident earlier in the day. However, authorities have not released his identity or provided further details about the possible connection. Lakewood Police are investigating the shooting and have urged the public to stay away from the area. The identities of the deceased officer, the injured officers and the suspect have not yet been made public. The Regional Transportation District (RTD), which operates public transport services in the area, said it was deeply concerned about the shooting. “RTD personnel responded to the incident immediately and are fully cooperating with the Lakewood Police Department as it conducts its investigation,” the statement said.