Police Search For Suspect Who Shot Officer During Traffic Stop
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (CBS4) - Police are searching for the gunman who shot a police officer Sunday morning in Commerce City.
Commerce City police investigators cordoned off the dirt road where an officer was shot just after 7 a.m. during a traffic stop.
The 10-year Commerce City Police Department veteran pulled over a driver near East 96th Avenue on Peoria Street. While the officer was talking to the driver, police say the driver pulled out a gun and shot the officer in the chest.
The officer was wearing a bullet-proof vest.
"Still serious injuries," said Cmdr. Dennis Moon with the Commerce City Police Department. "Even though the vest stopped the round, there is significant trauma that occurs to the body when the bullet strikes it."
After firing the shot, police say the shooter sped off. That's when the officer fired back.
"After he was shot, he did return fire at the vehicle," Moon said. "So the vehicle may have damage to the rear, with bullet holes in the back of the car."
Police have issued a "Blue Alert," asking for the public's help to catch the shooter.
The shooter is described as a white male in his late 40s or early 50s with brown hair, glasses, and a thin build. He was driving a late-1990s model maroon Nissan Pathfinder with possible Colorado license plate 679-UNZ or 697-UNZ.
The injured officer was taken by ambulance to a local hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
The suspect faces charges that include attempted first-degree murder of a police officer.
Additional Information From The Commerce City Police Department
Anyone with information is requested to call 911 or contact Commerce City Police Department at (303) 289-3626.
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.
