Gunman shot and killed by police in Lakewood after a carjacking was reported

LAKEWOOD, Colo. — An armed man was shot and killed by Lakewood police officers Wednesday morning after police say a threatening call to a nearby store escalated into a suspected carjacking.

Officers with the Lakewood Police Department were first called to a threatening report around 10:20 a.m. at the Walmart at 440 Wadsworth Boulevard. According to the department, employees reported that a man had threatened them with a gun approximately five to seven minutes before calling police.

Gunman shot and killed by police in Lakewood after a carjacking was reported

According to Police Department Public Information Officer John Romero, the suspect took off on foot and police later received a call that an elderly woman who was getting into her van was being threatened by the armed suspect in the area of ​​W. 4th Avenue and Zephyr Street. The suspect then took the woman’s car, police said.

His description matched that of the suspect in the Walmart incident.

Lakewood police pursued the suspect as he drove through northern Lakewood neighborhoods before giving chase when he refused to stop, police said.

“Knowing he was armed, management authorized a pursuit,” Romero said. “We were able to chase the suspect into the area right here at the exit at 6th Avenue and Garrison.”

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After a collision on the exit ramp, Lakewood police officers confronted the suspect and asked him to get out of the car with his hands up.

“The suspect then got out, had a gun and was then shot by Lakewood police officers,” Romero said. “The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.”

Police later added that when the suspect exited the vehicle, he “immediately pointed his weapon at the agents.”

Six Lakewood officers fired their weapons, police said. Apart from the suspect, no one was injured. Romero said the suspect’s gun was recovered at the scene.

The suspect has not been identified pending notification of family. The Jefferson County Critical Incident Response Team is investigating the shooting.

This is a developing story and will be updated.