WELD COUNTY, Colo. – The man accused of shooting and severely wounding a Fort Lupton police sergeant on the night of Dec. 2 was formally charged Wednesday with six felonies, including attempted first-degree murder.
Matthew Cotter, 19, is charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder after deliberation, one count of first-degree assault with a deadly weapon causing serious bodily injury, two counts of first-degree assault involving threatening a peace officer with a weapon, and one count of attempted first-degree assault with a deadly weapon.
In court Wednesday, a protection order was granted, meaning that Cotter cannot have contact with any witnesses in the case or the victim, Fort Lupton Police Sgt. Christopher Pelton.
Cotter is accused of shooting Pelton in the face as Pelton and other officers were called out to Cotter’s ex-girlfriend’s home on Dec. 2 after Cotter allegedly threatened to come to the home and kill himself.
When officers arrived, Cotter allegedly grabbed a handgun from his vehicle, ran to a neighbor’s fence, and then began shooting at officers as they arrived. Officers fired at Cotter as he tried to run from the scene, and he was hit at least once.
Pelton lost teeth and shattered his jaw and has undergone several surgeries since the shooting. He was out of the intensive care unit as of Wednesday morning after undergoing reconstructive surgery and was moving around on Wednesday.
A GoFundMe account has been set up to help Pelton during his recovery. The Colorado Police Officers Foundation is also pitching in to help, and you can do so by clicking here.
The police community also announced people can go to any Chase bank and make a donation to the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 48, but people need to mention the money is going toward Sgt. Christopher Pelton.
Cotter is next due back in court on Feb. 19 for a status conference. Court records show his bond has been set at $5 million.