Gunman Shoots 5 Law Officers In Highlands Ranch, Killing One

HIGHLANDS RANCH, CO — A gunman opened fire Sunday on law officers responding to a domestic disturbance call in Highlands Ranch, wounding four of them and killing another in an "ambush-like" attack, authorities said. Two civilians were also wounded before the gunman was shot dead in a shootout with police that lasted nearly two hours.

The slain deputy was identified as Zackari Parrish, 29, a father of two who had been a Douglas County Deputy for seven months. He was taken hours after the shooting from Littleton Adventist Hospital in a black hearse accompanied by dozens of law enforcement vehicles and motorcycles. Firefighters stood on their trucks as the procession drove south on Broadway, The Denver Post reported, and some residents stood on street corners with American flags.

The shooting occurred just after 5:15 in the morning when deputies were responding to the Copper Canyon Apartments at the 3400 block of County Line Road. Four officers were invited into the home, likely by the gunman's roommate, and were calling questions to the suspect who had barricaded himself in a bedroom, Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock said at a news conference.

Moments later, the gunman fired at the officers, mowing then down within seconds of each other, the sheriff said.

The wounded officers tried to drag Parrish from the apartment but could not because of their injuries, Spurlock said, and crawled outside to save themselves.

“Zach was a good kid. Smiley kid," Spurlock said of his lost deputy. "He was eager to work and eager to serve. His wife told me today he loved this job more than any job he ever had."

.@SheriffSpurlock names29-year-old Zackari Parrish, deputy and former CRPD officer killed in #CopperCanyonOIS. Our hearts our heavy today as we mourn the loss of one of our brothers. Thank you all for your support. https://t.co/kJKCYaZ7Uq pic.twitter.com/RmdB9CI5Tg
— DC Sheriff (@dcsheriff) December 31, 2017

The gunman continued to fire at officers before a bullet brought him down, the sheriff said. In all, more than 100 rounds were fired, mostly by the suspect, he said.

The suspect has not been identified but Spurlock said he has been known to law officers for some time. Deputies had visited the apartment about four hours before the shooting in response to a noise complaint, but found no issues at the residence and left, the sheriff said.

Four officers arrived at the same time to answer a second complaint of a domestic disturbance that was later classified as a disruptive incident.

“The suspect was just making a ton of noise and annoying everyone around him,” Spurlock said.

Roads in the area were closed and a bomb squad and SWAT officers were on the scene as the wounded were loaded into ambulances. The officers were all listed in stable condition and wounds to the two civilians were considered non-life threatening.

The gunman's roommate was uninjured and is cooperating with authorities, the sheriff said.

**Copper Canyon OIS Update**- Deputies responded to a domestic disturbance resulting in shots fired. 5 deputies shot by suspect. 1 deputy confirmed deceased. 2 civilians also shot by suspect. Suspect shot & believed to be dead & no longer a threat. #CopperCanyonOIS
— DC Sheriff (@dcsheriff) December 31, 2017

"This is an active event, please avoid the area," the office said on Twitter shortly after the shooting as officers and ambulances from surrounding cities raced to the scene.

Residents in the area also received a "Code Red" alert warning them to "shelter in place, avoid windows and stay away from exterior walls."

Steven Silknitter, a resident of the apartment complex, told The Denver Post that he was working elsewhere when he heard about the shooting. He called home, waking up his fiance.

She woke to hear “a barrage” of gunfire in the dark, said Silknitter.

“She was pretty scared. She kept saying how loud it was.”

Highway C-470 from South Quebec Street to University Boulevard and County Line Road from Colorado Boulevard to University Boulevard remained closed Sunday afternoon.

“My heart breaks for all of those affected by the terrible tragedy in Douglas County,” Republican U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner of Weld said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to the family of the Deputy who was fatally wounded. Our law enforcement officers work tirelessly every day to keep our communities safe and today all of Colorado stands with our law enforcement community.”

Parker Police Department, Lone Tree Police, Castle Rock Police and Colorado State Patrol are involved in the incident along with the sheriff's office.

The injured officers were identified as Deputy Mike Doyle, 28, Deputy Taylor Davis, 30, and Deputy Jeffrey Pelle, from Douglas County. Officer Tom O’Donnell, 41, from the Castle Rock Police Department, was also shot.

The FBI's office in Denver said on Twitter that it has offered its full support to the Douglas County sheriff.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with our law enforcement partners and all those impacted by today’s senseless act of violence," the agency said in a tweet.

Those interested in donating to the deputies can do so through the sheriff's office's fallen officer fund.

A Code Red was sent out regarding this incident. Any citizens in the affected area are instructed to shelter in place, avoid windows and stay away from exterior walls. pic.twitter.com/RgutCEqgJA
— DC Sheriff (@dcsheriff) December 31, 2017

Road closures due to the officer down call. C-470 from Quebec to University Blvd. County Line Rd from Colorado Blvd. to University Blvd.
— DC Sheriff (@dcsheriff) December 31, 2017

Twitter video from Larry Ryckman, The Denver Post.

Image via Shutterstock