LARIMER COUNTY, Colo. — A homicide suspect took his own life after leading multiple state authorities on a chase from Cheyenne to Wellington Saturday morning, the Larimer County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) said.
Around 2:00 a.m. Saturday, LCSO dispatch was notified of an armed suspect driving toward Colorado from Cheyenne. Wyoming authorities had located the man, who was wanted in a recent homicide and domestic violence case in South Dakota. When law enforcement tried to contact him in his pickup truck, the sheriff's office said the suspect drove south on Interstate 25 and eluded officers.
Deputies and Colorado State Patrol troopers prepared tire spikes near the Buckeye Road exit in Colorado. LCSO said the suspect shot at law enforcement and continued traveling south at high speeds. LCSO deputies ultimately performed a precision immobilization technique (PIT) to stop the vehicle just south of the Highway 1/Wellington exit. LCSO said the man stayed inside the truck, and before they could contact him, he shot himself.
After securing the scene, LCSO said authorities began performing lifesaving measures on the suspect. UCHealth EMS crews arrived and continued first aid efforts, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
LCSO said a handgun was recovered from the suspect’s vehicle and according to LCSO, law enforcement did not fire any weapons during this incident.
According to LCSO, the suspect was the only person in the vehicle. No other injuries have been reported.
Southbound I-25 was closed at the Wellington exit for approximately 5 hours while investigators processed the scene. The Laramie County Sheriff’s Office, Cheyenne Police Department, Wyoming Highway Patrol, Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, and Colorado State Patrol were all involved during this incident.
“This was an extremely dangerous situation involving an armed suspect with a disturbing disregard for public safety,” said LCSO Lt. Troy Badberg. “Dispatchers, investigators, and peace officers across multiple states worked together quickly and did everything they could to prevent harm to innocent people.”
LCSO will investigate the Wyoming/Colorado incident, in cooperation with local agencies and the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation. The Larimer County Coroner’s Office will release the man’s identity at a later time.
Anybody with information about the Wyoming/Colorado incident, who hasn’t already spoken with law enforcement, can contact LCSO Investigator Tyler Thomas at (970) 498-5167.
SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Latest from 9NEWS
