Update
On April 12, 2022, the El Paso County Coroner’s Office completed an autopsy of the deceased individual involved in the April 11, 2022, officer/deputy involved shooting that occurred in the 900 block of Manitou Avenue, Manitou Springs, Colorado. The deceased individual has been identified as 67-year-old Wilford Robert DeWeese of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
The cause and manner of death will be determined by the El Paso County Coroner’s Office. This case is actively being investigated by detectives from the Colorado Springs Police Department’s Deadly Force Investigative Team.
Original Release
On April 11, 2022, at approximately 11:00 PM Manitou Springs Police Department Officers and El Paso County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a business in the 900 block of Manitou Avenue due to a report of a person menacing others with a firearm. A short time later, officers and deputies contacted the suspect from that report. During that contact, the suspect fired at least one round at law enforcement personnel. As a result, at least one Manitou Springs Police Officer and at least one El Paso County Sheriff Deputy fired their duty weapon at least one time, striking the suspect. Officers and deputies immediately started life-saving measures until medical personnel arrived, however, the suspect died on the scene.
An El Paso County Sheriff’s K9 was shot and killed during this incident. The K9’s handler was not injured; no other deputies or officers were injured in this incident.
The involved officers and deputies have been placed on administrative leave per their department policies.
Per 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 and deputies involved in this incident will come from their respective agencies.