UPDATE | July 24 — The Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office has identified the suspect in this case as Ernesto Edward Gonzalez. His manner of death was ruled a homicide.
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ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — An investigation is underway into a tactical operation that escalated to a police shooting in Englewood Tuesday evening, killing a man.
In a news release from the Englewood police Wednesday morning, the department said its SWAT team worked with the Denver Police Department's Fugitive Unit Tuesday to carry out a high-risk search warrant.
Engelwood SWAT responded to a home at the intersection of South Cherokee Street and West Oxford Avenue around 2:45 p.m.
When officers arrived, they talked with family members of the suspect, who barricaded himself inside the home.
At 3:10 p.m., a shelter-in-place warning was issued for people in the area.
A little less than a hour later, several shots came from the basement, and one officer fired back. Englewood police did not clarify if the suspect was injured at that time.
Around 4:21 p.m., Englewood PD announced West Oxford Avenue was closed between South Bannock Street and South Delaware Street.
Englewood Police are currently engaged in a tactical operation in the 4100 Block of S. Cherokee Street. A reverse 911 has been sent out to neighbors to shelter in place. Please stay out of the area until further notice. No further information will be released at this time. pic.twitter.com/sJdVjXfigO
— Englewood Police Department (@PoliceEnglewood) July 18, 2023
At 9:12 p.m., the department officially declared the incident had turned into a police shooting.
Update 9:12 p.m. - The incident on S. Cherokee Street has turned into an Officer Involved Shooting. We will provide more information as it becomes available. This is a very active scene. Please avoid the area until further notice.
— Englewood Police Department (@PoliceEnglewood) July 19, 2023
A second emergency notification was then sent out to nearby residents, asking them to shelter in place until officers could evacuate them to safety.
Once officers were able to do so and clear the area, they continued trying to negotiate with the barricaded suspect. They also used tear gas, a drone and a robot to end the standoff.
The suspect kept firing shots for hours, hitting an armored vehicle.
Officers later used that armored vehicle to ram the garage door when they encountered the suspect who pointed a gun at them. Officers fired back again, striking the suspect.
He was declared dead at the scene.
No officers were injured, according to Englewood PD.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
