Report: Man dies after shootout with Fort Collins police

Fort Collins Police responded to a rollover crash at approximately 12:41 p.m. at the intersection of Bryan Avenue and Mountain Avenue when the suspect began firing at officers.

DENVER (KDVR) — A Fort Collins police officer who was shot in an exchange of gunfire with another man Sunday has been released from the hospital, but investigators believe the suspect involved did not survive.

According to the 8th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team, 42-year-old Clayton Pierce was holding a gun and standing outside a vehicle involved in a rollover crash when officers arrived at around 12:41 p.m.

He reportedly engaged in a “gunfight with police” at the scene, hitting an officer. That officer was taken to a hospital but has since been released.

Investigators say Pierce then ran to Grandview Cemetery where “more shots were fired.” He “fell to the ground” and officers administered first aid until he was taken to a hospital where he died.

The CIRT team said Pierce was the only person in the vehicle at the time of the crash, but witnesses said two dogs were also in the vehicle. Only one of the dogs has since been found.

No other injuries were reported, but the CIRT team said several parked vehicles and a patrol car were hit by bullets.

It is unclear how many officers fired their weapons, and the CIRT press release does not include any information from the medical examiner about Pierce’s cause of death.

Anyone who has video of the accident or shooting or who saw what happened is asked to call Investigator Bryce Hinrichs at the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office at 970-498-5542. Anonymous tips can also be made to Crime Stoppers of Larimer County at 970-221-6868.