Officer-Involved Shooting Forces Closure Of Interstate 270
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (CBS4) - Interstate 270 was closed for more than seven hours after an early morning officer-involved shooting in Commerce City.
The closure started just after 3 a.m. Monday and lasted until approximately 11:30 a.m.
The incident involved officers from the Commerce City Police Department, Colorado State Patrol and the Adams County Sheriff's Office.
"The interstate was closed to allow investigators to process the scene, which covered an extensive area of multiple travel lanes in both directions," Officer Chris Dickey with Commerce City police said in a statement.
Officers responded to a report of an accident on eastbound I-270 between Vasquez Boulevard and the Platte River, an area near multiple jurisdictional borders.
"When they arrived, they found one vehicle had collided with the center guardrail in the 3400 block of I-270 in Commerce City," Dickey said. "Officers made contact with a 31-year-old Ryan Schenk, believed to be the driver of the vehicle."
Police communications indicate the driver of the car tried to flee.
"An altercation ensued and after that point in time there was an officer involved shooting involving a Commerce City Police Officer and a Colorado State Trooper," said Dickey.
Schenk was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. He was released from the hospital and arrested. He faces charges of attempted first degree murder of a peace officer.
Schenk was a fugitive wanted for escape, according to police. Officers found a firearm at the scene that didn't belong to police.
However, Commerce City Police will not confirm that Schenk had the weapon or that he fired it at officers.
The Adams County critical incident team is investigating every aspect of the case.
No officers were injured. A state trooper and Commerce City police officer have been placed on paid administrative leave during the investigation.