Just before noon on Wednesday, a warrant service in a quiet Loveland neighborhood turned fatal when police shot and killed a man who they say opened fire on officers. The incident unfolded at a home in the 3300 block of Banyan Avenue, where officers were serving arrest and search warrants tied to a domestic violence investigation. SWAT and crisis negotiators were called in as part of the response. The man was pronounced dead at the scene, and no officers or bystanders were reported injured.
Warrants tied to alleged domestic violence
Detectives say they obtained arrest and search warrants based on evidence from an alleged domestic violence incident, and investigators believed additional firearms were inside the home. Because of those concerns, the department used its SWAT and Crisis Negotiations teams as part of a planned, coordinated effort to serve the warrants, according to The Denver Post.
Negotiators tried to de-escalate before shots rang out
Authorities say crisis negotiators made repeated attempts to establish contact, while SWAT officers used several tactics aimed at getting a voluntary surrender. Investigators report that the suspect eventually came out of the house armed, and officers tried using less-lethal tools to gain compliance. The man then fired at nearby officers, who shot back and struck him. He was later pronounced dead at the scene, according to North Forty News. The Larimer County Coroner’s Office will release the man’s identity and determine the official cause and manner of death.
CIRT called in to investigate shooting
The Eighth Judicial Critical Incident Response Team, known as CIRT, has taken over the investigation into the officer-involved shooting, with the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office acting as the lead investigative agency, per Larimer County. CIRT is a multi-agency team that investigates shootings that result in injury or death, and its findings are turned over to the district attorney, who then decides whether the use of force was legally justified.
Legal context
According to authorities, the suspect was wanted on suspicion of domestic violence, felony menacing, criminal tampering, and prohibited use of weapons, and detectives secured the warrants based on those allegations. Once CIRT finishes collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses, the district attorney’s office will review the case and issue a formal opinion on the shooting, in line with the established protocol, officials and reporting indicate.
