Two Colorado State Patrol Troopers Shot During Traffic Stop Near Woodland Park
Two Colorado State Patrol troopers were wounded Tuesday morning after a traffic stop on U.S. Highway 24 near Woodland Park turned into a shooting, prompting a major law enforcement response in Teller County.
The shooting happened at approximately 7:15 a.m. near U.S. 24 and Piney Point Lane, west of Woodland Park and near the Crystola area, according to the Colorado State Patrol. The troopers were conducting a traffic stop when shots were fired, striking both officers.
One trooper suffered serious injuries, while the second sustained injuries described as minor. Both troopers were transported to a hospital for treatment. Their identities have not been released.
Suspect search prompts shelter-in-place order
Following the shooting, authorities launched a search for the person believed to be responsible. The Teller County Sheriff's Office issued a shelter-in-place order for the Westwood Lakes subdivision and surrounding areas as law enforcement searched for the suspect.
Residents were instructed to remain inside, secure their homes and businesses, and stay away from doors and windows while officers worked to locate the individual. Drivers were also urged to avoid the area of U.S. 24 near the shooting.
Authorities initially described the suspect as a man with facial hair and brown or blonde shoulder-length hair. Investigators also identified a blue Subaru Impreza believed to be associated with the shooting. The vehicle reportedly had no visible license plate or plates obscured by tinted covers.
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation issued a Blue Alert as authorities searched for the suspect. Blue Alerts are used to notify the public when a law enforcement officer has been seriously injured or killed and a suspect may remain at large.
Suspect taken into custody
The search ended later Tuesday morning when the Colorado Bureau of Investigation confirmed that the suspect had been taken into custody at approximately 9:55 a.m. The shelter-in-place order was subsequently lifted.
Officials have not yet released additional details about the suspect or announced potential charges. Investigators are continuing to work to determine exactly what led to the shooting and what occurred during the traffic stop.
The incident brought a significant law enforcement presence to the Woodland Park area as local, state and other agencies assisted with the search and investigation.
For residents across the Pikes Peak region, the shooting serves as another reminder of the risks law enforcement officers can face during routine traffic stops. What began as a roadside encounter on a major highway quickly resulted in injuries to two state troopers and an emergency response spanning multiple agencies.
The investigation remains active, and additional information is expected as authorities release more details about the circumstances surrounding the shooting and the condition of the two troopers.
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