Lakewood, Colorado: Police Agent Killed, Three Agents Wounded in Shooting at RTD Bus

A Lakewood police agent was killed and three other agents were wounded on Thursday evening when a suspect opened fire on them as they approached him at a transit bus in Lakewood, Colorado, the department said.

Lakewood police said agents responded around 6:30 p.m. to a report of a suspicious person near the intersection of West Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard, where the man was trying to board a Regional Transportation District bus. Lakewood calls its sworn officers agents.

"Within seconds of agents approaching the suspect, the suspect opened fire on our agents," department spokesman John Romero said at a news conference on Thursday night.

Romero said four agents were struck. "We are very sorry to report that one of those agents has been pronounced dead of their injuries," he said. The suspect was shot by police and pronounced dead at the scene. A civilian was also wounded and taken to a local hospital.

What police have not released

Police had not released the names of the agent who died, the three wounded agents, the civilian or the suspect early on Friday. The department also did not give the conditions of the three surviving agents, who were being treated at area hospitals.

FOX31 Denver reported that a vehicle had rear-ended the bus shortly before the gunfire, and that police had not said whether the crash was connected to the shooting. A person inside a nearby pawn shop told the station they heard about 13 gunshots and saw agents surround the bus as ambulances left the scene. Police closed roads around the intersection, including Wadsworth Boulevard, while investigators worked. Dispatchers reported five victims in total and sent several ambulances, FOX31 said.

Investigation and reaction

The Jefferson County Critical Incident Response Team is leading the investigation into the shooting, with support from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis said the Colorado State Patrol was helping at the scene and taking part in a procession from the hospital honoring the fallen agent. A procession for the agent was held on Thursday night, 9News reported. "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," Polis wrote. "My heart goes out to their family and friends."

RTD said it was "deeply concerned" by the shooting. "Our thoughts are with those affected directly by this incident," the agency said. "The safety and well-being of our customers, employees, and partners remain our highest priority."

Romero also spoke to the fallen agent's family. "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," he said.