Longmont police allegedly shoot a man with a knife

Two Longmont police officers were placed on leave on May 8, 2024, after at least one of them shot a man who was reportedly armed with that knife. (Longmont Public Safety)

DENVER (KDVR) — Two Longmont police officers were placed on leave Wednesday after at least one of them shot a man who was reportedly armed with a knife.

According to a press release from Longmont Public Safety, officers arrived at the 1300 block of Coffman Street on a domestic violence call at approximately 1:37 p.m. Officers contacted the suspect, a black man who police said was uncooperative and “armed with a large knife.”

The officers gave repeated orders to drop the knife, but the man did not comply. According to the authority, the officers used “less lethal” options several times, but these had no effect. The man is then said to have run towards an inhabited apartment, still armed.

At this point, officers continued to give commands and told him to stop. He did not, and two officers “attempted to use deadly force to prevent the suspect from entering the property,” and at least one officer fired a firearm, the release said. It is unclear what the other attempt at deadly force may have been.

After shots were fired, police said the suspect was still noncompliant. Additional officers reportedly then resumed using less-lethal tactics until the suspect dropped the weapon and complied with commands.

Longmont police reported that they provided medical aid before medical personnel could arrive and the man was transported to a local hospital. The victim reportedly suffered no serious injuries.

No police officers were injured.

Anyone who witnessed the incident and has not yet spoken to police is asked to contact Boulder Police Detective Tuck at 303-441-1974 and refer to Longmont Police Report No. 24-4213.