Police officer, 2 victims injured in shooting, suspect killed, Denver police say

UPDATE: The officer who was shot has been discharged from the hospital.

A police officer and two gas station clerks have been injured in a police shooting on Monday night, according to the Denver Police Department. The suspect was shot and killed by police.

Police said it all started just before 9 p.m. Monday when a witness called 911 about an armed robbery at the Maverick gas station in the 3200 Block of South Parker Road near Peoria Street, which is near I-225 by the Denver city border with Aurora.

When officers arrived, investigators said they heard gunshots coming from inside the store. 

"There was one armed individual inside the store who had locked themselves inside the store with two store employees. As officers were developing a tactical plan, they heard shots coming from inside the business. They recognized the sense of urgency and forced entry into the business," said Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas. 

Officers shot the suspect, who was taken to a hospital in critical condition and later died. One officer was shot and rushed to surgery at Denver Health with non-life-threatening injuries. Investigators said the officer is expected to survive their injuries. 

Two store clerks were also shot and sustained non-life-threatening injuries. They were treated and released from the hospital overnight, according to investigators. 

It's unclear who fired the shots that injured the clerks. A witness told CBS Colorado that he believed the shooter was a person who appeared to be experiencing homelessness who had been seen outside the store with several bags. 

There was a large police presence at Denver Health following the shooting, with patrol cars outside the emergency room with lights flashing.

On Tuesday morning, the gas station remained closed with several police vehicles and crime scene tape surrounding the gas pumps and the business.