Update
The two officers involved in the shooting on November 4, 2020, at Highway 115 and Fort Carson Gate 2, were Corporal Clinton Ford and Officer Ashley D’Amour. Corporal Ford has been employed with the Colorado Springs Police Department since April 21, 2014, and is currently assigned to the Gold Hill Division, Shift III. Officer D’Amour has been employed with the Colorado Springs Police Department since July 10, 2017, and is currently assigned to the Gold Gill Division, Shift III.
It is anticipated that the involved officers’ body worn camera videos will be released in approximately 4 weeks, once the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office has completed their investigation and presented it to the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office is the lead investigative agency for this officer involved shooting. This is an ongoing investigation and all updates will only be provided by the Sheriff's Office Public Information Office.
Original EPSO Press Release
On November 4, 2020, at approximately 4:45 AM, a Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) sergeant was flagged down by a citizen reporting a suspicious vehicle who had followed them for several miles in an aggressive manner. The reporting citizen pointed out the suspect vehicle which was located in the area. The CSPD sergeant attempted to contact the suspect vehicle but the vehicle fled the area. The sergeant called out over his radio to other units to be on the lookout.
Additional CSPD officers in the area located the vehicle driving southbound on Highway 115. The car exited Highway 115 at the Fort Carson Gate 2 exit and stopped right outside Fort Carson’s Gate 2. When officers pulled in behind the vehicle, they contacted the suspect who was armed with a handgun. At that time at least one shot was fired by involved officers. Two officers were involved in this incident.
The suspect has been identified as Dean Trasente, age 33. He was pronounced deceased on scene. The cause and manner of death will be determined by the Coroner's Office.
In accordance with Colorado Revised Statute 16-2.5-301, the El Paso County Sheriff's Office is the lead investigative agency for this officer-involved shooting. This is an ongoing investigation and information will be released as appropriate.
The involved officers were not injured and have been placed on administrative leave per their policy. Information regarding the law enforcement officers involved in this incident will come from the Colorado Springs Police Department.
All information regarding this investigation will come from the El Paso County Sheriff's Office.