Neighbors: Man Shot By Deputies A 'Recluse,' 'Hurt By Society'
PARKER, Colo. (CBS4) - The man who was shot and killed by deputies after opening fire on Friday in Douglas County has been identified as Randall Rodick, 40.
Neighbors, who knew him as Randy, said that Rodick and his wife had moved into their current home on the outskirts of Parker about 10 years earlier.
They described Rodick as a recluse and said that he was a troubled man who seemed hurt by society.
On Saturday, investigators collected bags full of evidence from Rodick's home where the deadly shootout began.
Sheriff's deputies responded to the home after a call alleging that Rodick was suicidal.
Neighbors heard gunshots and said that they then saw Rodick drive a rickety old RV through a backyard barn and fence, crossing into a field and then intro a road. Witnesses said that Rodick crashed into a stone retainer all before coming to a stop.
"This was a very large scene, because it did kind of travel through a neighborhood across fields," said Deputy Jason Blanchard, a spokesperson for the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.
Blanchard said that when Rodick opened fire again, law enforcement officers returned fire, striking and killing the gunman.
"When the suspect was out there with his weapons, we don't know what his intention was," said Blanchard. "There were nearby schools, there was a nearby hospital ... We don't know what he would have done without that officer intervention."
The intervention of officers from multiple law enforcement agencies may have saved lives.
The Douglas County Sheriff's Office was asking for prayers for the deputy who was shot and critically injured during the shootout.
"We're really hoping that everybody can keep Detective Dan Brite in their prayers and that he's able to recover," said Blanchard.
As of Saturday evening, Brite was in very critical condition at an area hospital. Medical staff had seen some small improvements.
Melissa Garcia has been reporting for CBS4 News since March 2014. Find her bio here, follow her on Twitter @MelissaGarciaTV, or send your story idea to mkgarcia@cbs.com.