Police Shoot Man Who Took Hostages Inside A 7-Eleven
DENVER (CBS4) - Denver police shot a man Monday morning during a hostage situation.
Denver police brought in negotiators and SWAT teams after the emergency call came in at a 7-Eleven at West Colfax Avenue and Perry Street just after 8:30 a.m. that there was a threatening person inside the store.
"I was in there and then I walked out and all of sudden I see cops pull up; terrible," a store patron told CBS4.
Denver Police Chief Robert White said the man then took several people hostage in the store. So far it isn't clear if he had a weapon.
"After negotiating for about an hour the individual decided to come out holding a female hostage, at which time the officers told him he had to let the hostage go," White said.
A female negotiator could be heard on a bull horn demanding the suspect to release the hostages.
"He refused. He then attempted to drag the female back in the store. Out of fear for the female's safety one of our officers fired a shot, striking the individual," White said.
The suspect was taken to a hospital on a stretcher. He's said to be in critical condition.
Authorities closed Colfax while they investigated the crime.
Police aren't sure about a motive but a witness said she saw officers chase the suspect inside the store.
None of the hostages were injured.