06/30/23 CIRT: Update Information of Officer-Involved Shooting Which Occurred on 06/28/23 involving the Mesa County Sheriff's Office
The Grand Junction Police Department is releasing the following information on behalf of the 21st Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT).
The suspect is still hospitalized as he undergoes medical treatment for sustained injuries.
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Initial Release 06/29/23:
The Grand Junction Police Department is releasing the following information on behalf of the 21st Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) about an officer-involved shooting that occurred on 06/28/23 involving the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office.
The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 2900 block of Sandra Avenue for reports of a vehicle on fire in front of a residence on 06/28/23, at approximately 10:20pm. It was reported an adult male who lived on the property started the fire. The Grand Junction Fire Department responded to extinguish the fire. Mesa County Sheriff Deputies attempted to contact the male and an officer-involved shooting occurred. Law enforcement personnel rendered medical aid until the suspect was transferred to the care of the Grand Junction Fire Department. The suspect was transported to the hospital. No deputies were injured in this incident. There is no ongoing threat to the community and there is no further information at this time.
It is important to note that this investigation is in the early stages, and this preliminary information is subject to change. Members of the Critical Incident Response Team have been and will continue to conduct interviews of witnesses and involved persons in this case over the coming days. Additional details will be released as appropriate, with sensitivity to the ongoing investigation.
The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office will be responsible for releasing the name of their involved deputy. As is standard protocol with any officer-involved shooting, the Mesa County Sheriff’s deputy involved is currently on paid administrative leave. An internal investigation will take place separately from the criminal investigation being conducted by the CIRT. This incident remains under investigation by the CIRT.
All officer-involved shootings in Mesa County are investigated by the 21st Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team, which is comprised of representatives of the Grand Junction Police Department, Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, Fruita Police Department, Palisade Police Department, Colorado State Patrol, 21st Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Colorado Department of Corrections-Division of Adult Parole, and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. The CIRT is activated when a law enforcement agency is involved in a critical incident to ensure an independent investigation. Because Mesa County Sheriff’s Office personnel were involved in this incident, the Grand Junction Police Department is leading this investigation on behalf of the CIRT.