DRIVER DEAD FOLLOWING TRAFFIC STOP IN MONTROSE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lance Clem, Denver, 303-239-4415
At approximately 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 2, 2009, a Montrose police officer making a routine traffic stop to investigate defective equipment contacted a driver who initially stopped but then drove away from the Montrose officer as the officer attempted to speak to him.
The Montrose officer returned to his vehicle and began following the driver. After a short distance, the driver stopped again between the 1300 and 1400 block of Main St. in Montrose. The driver exited his truck, carrying a rifle. The driver and the Montrose officer exchanged words. The officer took cover upon seeing the rifle, although the driver apparently did not point the rifle at the officer.
The officer heard a shot and realized that the driver had been struck and was dead.
Only one shot was fired. The shot was apparently fired by the driver. The officer did not fire his weapon. The officer was not injured.
The identity of the deceased driver has not been released by the Montrose County coroner.
The Montrose Police Department has requested the assistance of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation in investigating the incident. CBI has sent several agents, including forensic analysts, to the scene and will continue to assist the Montrose Police Department.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lance Clem, Denver, 303-239-4415
At approximately 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 2, 2009, a Montrose police officer making a routine traffic stop to investigate defective equipment contacted a driver who initially stopped but then drove away from the Montrose officer as the officer attempted to speak to him.
The Montrose officer returned to his vehicle and began following the driver. After a short distance, the driver stopped again between the 1300 and 1400 block of Main St. in Montrose. The driver exited his truck, carrying a rifle. The driver and the Montrose officer exchanged words. The officer took cover upon seeing the rifle, although the driver apparently did not point the rifle at the officer.
The officer heard a shot and realized that the driver had been struck and was dead.
Only one shot was fired. The shot was apparently fired by the driver. The officer did not fire his weapon. The officer was not injured.
The identity of the deceased driver has not been released by the Montrose County coroner.
The Montrose Police Department has requested the assistance of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation in investigating the incident. CBI has sent several agents, including forensic analysts, to the scene and will continue to assist the Montrose Police Department.
