Update:
As the Colorado Springs Police Department’s (CSPD) Violent Crimes Section continues its investigation into the officer-involved shooting on April 19, 2021, involving the Fountain Police Department, it has been determined that a trooper with the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) also fired their duty handgun during the incident. The involved CSP trooper has been placed on administrative leave per Colorado State Patrol policy. Please note that any information regarding the law enforcement officers and troopers involved will come from their respective agencies and all updates regarding the actual investigation will continue to come from the CSPD.
The suspect involved in this incident has been identified as 38-year-old Robert Paul Garcia. After officers rendered immediate first aid on scene, Mr. Garcia was transported to a local hospital for treatment where he succumbed to his injuries. Mr. Garcia’s positive identification was made by the El Paso County Coroner’s Office on April 20, 2021, following an autopsy.
This is still an active investigation and updates will be released when they become available, as appropriate. Anyone with information or who is a witness to this investigation is asked to call the Colorado Springs Police Department at (719) 444-7000; or if you wish to remain anonymous, you may call the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at (719) 634-STOP (7867) or 1-800-222-8477.
Original post:
On Monday, April 19, 2021, at approximately 5:20 PM., the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) was notified of an officer-involved shooting by an outside law enforcement agency in the area of I25 and North Academy Boulevard. Detectives with the Violent Crimes/Homicide Unit responded to the scene and assumed responsibility for the investigation. While it is early in the investigation, CSPD is able to provide the following initial information.
Earlier today, the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) attempted to stop a vehicle involved in a robbery investigation in Pueblo. The suspect failed to stop and State Patrol pursued the suspect northbound on I25. An Officer from the Fountain Police Department joined the pursuit as it passed through the Fountain Police Department’s jurisdiction.
As the pursuit continued northbound on I25, Colorado State Patrol Troopers deployed stop sticks in the area of I25 and Garden of the Gods with limited success. Approximately a quarter-mile south of the intersection of North Academy Boulevard and I25, Troopers used a marked State Patrol vehicle to strike and disable the fleeing suspect vehicle which came to stop on the highway.
Officers gave verbal commands to the suspect. The Fountain Police Officer fired his duty weapon at least one time, striking the adult male suspect at least once. Officers on scene immediately started life-saving measures until medical personnel arrived and transported the suspect to a local hospital. No officers were injured in this incident.
The Fountain Police Officer has been placed on administrative leave per Fountain Police Department Policy.
In accordance with Colorado Revised Statute 16-2.5-301, the Colorado Springs Police Department is the lead investigative agency for this officer-involved shooting. This is an ongoing investigation and information will be released as appropriate. All information regarding the deadly force investigation will come from the Colorado Springs Police Department. Information regarding the law enforcement officers involved in this incident will come from their respective agencies.
This is still an active and on-going investigation. Anyone with information or who is a witness to this investigation is asked to call the Colorado Springs Police Department at (719) 444-7000; or if you wish to remain anonymous, you may call the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at (719) 634-STOP (7867) or 1-800-222-8477.