Pedro Juan Gallegos Arrested, Accused In Weekend Shooting Of Denver Police Officer
DENVER (CBS4) - Police have arrested Pedro Juan Gallegos for investigation of attempted first-degree murder in the shooting of a Denver police officer over the weekend. It began with a call to 911 about an unknown individual inside a secured backyard.
Three Denver police officers arrived just before 11 p.m. and walked the perimeter of the other side of the wrought iron fence. They were fired upon and one officer was hit, another returned fire.
Gallegos, 40, is accused in that Saturday night shooting in the 4200 block of N. Alcott Street. Police said that Gallegos fled the scene after shots were fired.
The officer injured in the shooting was shot in the leg. That officer was admitted to the hospital in critical condition and underwent surgery. He remains in critical condition with significant injuries to his legs and pelvis.
The police officer has not been identified. The officer who returned fire was not wearing a body camera.
Just a little over an hour after the shooting, Gallegos was contacted by officers near 40th and Alcott as he tried to ride a bicycle out of the area. He was detained because he matched the description of the person involved in the shooting with police officers. Investigators said that a sawed-off shotgun was found in a bush.
Investigators said that they are not looking for anyone else involved in the shooting.
Gallegos also faces charges of possession of a weapon by a previous offender and first-degree criminal trespass. He has two out-of-county warrants.