Suspect fatally shot after Denver area "killing spree" leaves 4 dead
Police stand outside the Belmar shopping center where they say the suspect in a Monday shooting spree that claimed five lives was shot and killed in Lakewood, Colo. Photo: Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images
Denver-area shootings have left at least four people dead and three others wounded, including a police officer, authorities said late Monday.
What we know: Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen confirmed at a news conference that the sole suspect died after the "killing spree" during a shootout with officers in the city of Lakewood, in the greater Denver metropolitan area.
Zoom in: "There are four significant locations where gunfire took place in the City and County of Denver," Pazen said.
- The shootings began just after 5 p.m. in central Denver, when the shooter killed two women and wounded one man, according to police.
- Another man was fatally shot nearby and a gun was again fired at a third location, but no injuries were reported.
- Police then pursued a vehicle with the suspect inside, before the suspect died in the gunfire exchange, per Pazon.
The bottom line: Lakewood Police Department spokesperson John Romero told the news conference there was no additional "safety concern to the community."
- "This one individual was responsible for this very violent crime spree that took place this evening," Pazen said.
What to watch: Police were still investigating a motive for the shootings and have yet to publicly identify the suspect.
The big picture: Several mass shootings have taken place in Colorado since the 1999 Columbine High School massacre — including one at a Boulder grocery store last March, which left 10 people dead.
Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.