One man is dead and an injured Denver police officer is in the hospital following an early morning shooting near downtown Denver on Wednesday.
According to Denver police chief Ron Thomas, the police officer was parked outside a hotel on the 2600 block of Zuni Street in Denver's Jefferson Park neighborhood. The officer, who was not named by DPD, witnessed a man enter a hotel and leave shortly after around 4:00 a.m. Wednesday. Upon leaving, the suspect, who also remains unnamed, allegedly drew a gun and began firing at the officer.
"The officer was struck multiple times." Thomas said in a Wednesday morning press conference. "However, he was able to exit the vehicle on the driver's side, seek cover, and then begin returning fire."
Both parties exchanged gunfire until the suspect went down. Both the officer and the suspect were transported to a hospital. The suspect was later pronounced dead. Police said there is no clear motive at this time.
Thomas said a bulletproof vest saved the officer's life. His injuries were deemed non-life threatening despite him being shot three times.
Following DPD protocol, officials from various outside law enforcement agencies will investigate the shooting.
