Sunday morning five Douglas County Sheriff police deputies were shot while responding to a domestic disturbance call.
The suspect fired off around 100 rounds with a rifle, taking down the officers all within seconds of each other Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock said.
The shooting occurred at the Copper Canyon apartment community in Highlands Ranch.
One of the five was killed with the others being taken to a local hospital. Two civilians were also shot by the suspect.
Spurlock identified the deceased officer as 29-year-old Zackari Parrish, who had been on the force for seven months.
The other wounded officers are Deputies Mike Doyle, 28; Taylor Davis, 30; Jeffrey Pelle, 32; and Tom O’Donnell, 31, and are said to be in stable condition.
President Trump tweeted condolences.
My deepest condolences to the victims of the terrible shooting in Douglas County @DCSheriff, and their families. We love our police and law enforcement – God Bless them all! #LESM
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2017
The civilians do not have life threatening injuries.
The suspect died during the event but it has not been revealed how he died – either by gunshot wound to himself or if he was shot by police.
**Copper Canyon OIS Update**- Deputies responded to a domestic disturbance resulting in shots fired. 5 deputies shot by suspect. 1 deputy confirmed deceased. 2 civilians also shot by suspect. Suspect shot & believed to be dead & no longer a threat. #CopperCanyonOIS
— DC Sheriff (@dcsheriff) December 31, 2017
Early Sunday morning Colorado Douglas County Sheriff’s office released that “multiple deputies” were down Sunday morning after police responded to an active shooter situation in Littleton, Colorado.
The police were responding to a call at the Copper Canyon apartment complex.
A look at the scene in Douglas County: Multiple deputies are down, acc. to sheriff’s office, after shooting near Denver this morning. pic.twitter.com/JKGoGEPs0f – @HansP10
— Shawn McKenzie 🇺🇸 (@SMcK17) December 31, 2017
Due to the size and cope of this investigation an emergency shelter has been set up @ East Ridge Rec Center, located at 9568 University Blvd. in Highlands Ranch. If anyone has been displaced from their homes due to this event please feel free to head there.
— DC Sheriff (@dcsheriff) December 31, 2017
UPDATE 0513 this morning deputies responded to he Copper Canyon Apartments for a Domestic Disturbance. During the Investigation, shots were fired and multiple deputies were injured. No status on the deputies and no status on civilian injuries. Please avoid this area.
— DC Sheriff (@dcsheriff) December 31, 2017
This comes at a time when the prank “swatting” has become more frequent where people place fake 911 calls in to police departments to either prank the police or set them up.
Due to this incident, the following agencies are on accident alert. Douglas County, Parker Police Department, Lone Tree Police Department, Castle Rock Police Department and Colorado State Patrol.
— DC Sheriff (@dcsheriff) December 31, 2017
UPDATE, we have multiple deputies down, no update on their status. The scene remains active and please avoid the area.
— DC Sheriff (@dcsheriff) December 31, 2017
A Code Red was sent out regarding this incident. Any citizens in the affected area are instructed to shelter in place, avoid windows and stay away from exterior walls. pic.twitter.com/RgutCEqgJA
— DC Sheriff (@dcsheriff) December 31, 2017
