Denver Officers Fire on Man With Knife During Pursuit

Law enforcement in Denver shot a man carrying a blade Sunday after he repeatedly ignored orders to stop and disarm during a foot chase.

Denver Officers Fire on Man With Knife During Pursuit

A man carrying a blade was shot by Denver law enforcement on Sunday following a foot pursuit in the city's northeast section.

The incident began around 11:40 a.m. when two officers were sent to East 51st Avenue and Washington Street following reports of an individual threatening and intimidating members of the public while armed. Police Chief Ron Thomas stated that the same person had been the subject of prior complaints in the neighborhood, occasionally while carrying a weapon, though officers had not previously located him.

When the pair arrived minutes later, they observed the individual gripping what Thomas characterized as a lengthy kitchen blade measuring roughly a foot. The officers shouted for him to release it, but he sprinted away instead. They gave chase while continuing to yell commands for him to halt and drop the weapon.

The suspect paused momentarily before bolting again. Near the crossing of East 50th Avenue and Washington Street, he pivoted toward the pursuing officers. One of them discharged their firearm, hitting the man multiple times.

The gunfire erupted at about midday. Medical crews took the wounded individual to a medical facility. His status was not made public by Sunday afternoon.

No members of the police force were harmed. The department did not immediately disclose the identities of either the officer who fired or the person who was struck.

Source: The Denver Post

Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)