Lakewood police officer killed, three others wounded in shootout near RTD bus

A Lakewood police agent was killed and three other officers were wounded Thursday night when a suspect opened fire as officers approached him while he was boarding a public bus west of Denver. The suspect was killed in the exchange of gunfire, and a civilian was also injured.

Ally Daily Editorial DeskNovember 06, 2026, 09:29 AMUpdated: November 06, 2026, 11:03 AM

Lakewood police officer killed, three others wounded in shootout near RTD bus

A Lakewood, Colorado, police agent was killed and three other officers were wounded Thursday night when a suspect opened fire on them as he tried to board a public bus near West Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard, about 5 miles west of downtown Denver. The suspect was shot by police and pronounced dead at the scene. A civilian was also injured.

Officers were called to the area at about 6:30 p.m. local time on a report of a "suspicious person" who may have been involved in a hit-and-run earlier in the day, Lakewood Police Public Information Officer John Romero told reporters. When officers found the man, he was attempting to get on a Regional Transportation District (RTD) bus. "Within seconds of agents approaching the suspect, the suspect opened fire on our agents. A gunfight ensued," Romero said.

In this video, Romero briefs reporters near the scene on Thursday night as television coverage shows police vehicles and emergency lights around the area. He confirms that four Lakewood agents were struck, that the suspect is dead, and that one of the wounded officers did not survive. "We are very sorry to report that one of those agents has been pronounced dead of their injuries," he said.

"Lakewood Police Department is a family"

All four officers were taken to area hospitals, where one of them died. Police did not immediately release the names of the officers, the conditions of the three surviving agents or the identity of the suspect. "Right now, our main concern is the family of our fallen agent and our agents here at the Lakewood Police Department," Romero said. "We just want the family to know that we love them, that we're here for them, and Lakewood Police Department is a family, and we will be here for each other."

Police officers salute outside Denver Health before a procession for the fallen Lakewood agent

Officers from agencies across the Denver metro area gathered outside Denver Health, where police closed the intersection of Bannock Street and Speer Boulevard. A Denver Health doctor said one of the four patients brought there was not a police agent, CBS Colorado reported. CommonSpirit St. Anthony Hospital said it was treating one patient with injuries that were not life-threatening, without saying whether that person was an officer.

"I heard 13 shots"

A witness, Patrick Dickman, told CBS Colorado that a car had rear-ended an RTD bus before he heard 13 shots. Dickman, who was inside a nearby pawn shop, said officers surrounded the back of the bus and fired into it, and that he saw about five ambulances leave the scene. Police have not confirmed that account.

RTD said the shooting took place aboard a contracted bus serving Route 76. "RTD is deeply concerned by the shooting that occurred this evening aboard an RTD-contracted operated bus servicing Route 76 in Lakewood. Our thoughts are with those affected directly by this incident," the transit agency said, adding that its personnel responded immediately, were cooperating with police, and that there were no impacts to service.

Police vehicles line the street outside Denver Health on Thursday night

Governor: "Heartbroken"

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said he was "heartbroken" by the officer's death. "Law enforcement put their lives on the line for our safety everyday and I am heartbroken to learn that a Lakewood Police Agent was killed in the line of duty this evening. My heart goes out to their family and friends," Polis said. "My thoughts are also with the three agents who are still receiving care at area hospitals, as well as the civilian who was wounded, and I wish them a full and speedy recovery."

Polis said the Colorado State Patrol was assisting at the scene and taking part in a procession from the hospital to honor the fallen officer. The Jefferson County Critical Incident Response Team is leading the investigation into the officer-involved shooting, with support from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Lakewood police said additional details would be released as they become available.

Video: KDVR/FOX31 via ConflictTR / X. Photos: KMGH via ABC News; New York Post

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Lakewood police officer killed, three others wounded in shootout near RTD bus