CBI identifies man who allegedly attacked Saguache County deputy with pipe

CRESTONE, Colorado – The Colorado Bureau of Investigation on Monday determined the identity of the man shot and killed by a Saguache County sheriff’s deputy following an alleged attack on a water main.

According to CBI, which is investigating the shooting, a deputy with the Saguache County Sheriff’s Office was driving near Crestone around noon on July 25 when he spotted a man walking about a mile from the entrance to the Baca Grande housing development. The deputy recognized the man because there was a warrant for his arrest, according to CBI.

According to the CBI, when the deputy tried to talk to the man, he began attacking him with a four-foot metal pipe. The deputy drew his service weapon and fired twice, hitting the man.

According to the CBI, the man was pronounced dead at the scene. The agency identified him on Monday as Jonathan Aaron Wood, 40.

The deputy was treated at a local hospital for minor injuries and later released.

The Saguache County officer involved activated his body-worn camera prior to the incident, and the video is currently being reviewed by investigators, according to the CBI. The officer has been placed on leave, per department protocol.

In its update, the CBI said Wood had a felony warrant for his arrest in Saguache County for assault on a peace officer and a felony warrant for criminal damage/wanton damage to property in Mineral County.

The felony warrant stems from an incident that occurred on August 11, 2023. According to CBI, neighbors called 911 to report that Wood was “acting erratically and threateningly with a four-foot wooden stick.” Neighbors told authorities Wood insisted he heard voices screaming for help from his neighbor’s shed. When the neighbor opened the shed to show no one was inside, Wood said he heard the screams coming from inside the neighbor’s house, according to CBI.

According to the CBI, officers were attempting to speak with Wood when he threatened them with the baton and allegedly struck an officer in the head. Wood failed to appear in court on the assault charge, which resulted in an arrest warrant.