Gunnison police shooting incident results in fatality

Police officers on administrative leave

[ by Mark Reaman ]

An investigation is under way after Gunnison police officers shot and killed a man last Thursday, November 11 near the Garden Walk apartment complex. forty-four-year-old Gerry Cooper of Lakewood, Colorado was killed in the incident that is now being investigated by the 7th Judicial District Critical Incident Investigative Team.

According to a press release from the city, members with the Gunnison Police Department responded to the parking lot of the Garden Walk Apartments located in the 800 block of N. Colorado St. in Gunnison about 11:05 p.m. after getting a call about a strange man sleeping in a car. Police ran the license plate and discovered it was a stolen vehicle.

“That information was passed along to the responding officers,” the press release stated. “As officers arrived and attempted to contact the driver he failed to comply with commands. The suspect drove from the area he was parked in and collided with multiple parked vehicles including two Gunnison Police Department patrol cars. During this time an officer with the Gunnison Police Department was dragged by the suspect vehicle. Officer(s) fired shots at the driver striking him. Gunnison Valley Health E.M.S. responded to the incident. The suspect died on scene.”

One officer was taken to Gunnison Valley Health and was later released. Per Gunnison police department policy, officers involved in serious bodily injury or death are placed on administrative leave.

“We have experienced a tragic event within our City,” commented Gunnison mayor Jim Gelwicks. “My heart goes out to everyone impacted. Together, we will get through this. It will take time for the entire incident to be reviewed.”

Further requests for information were not returned Tuesday or Wednesday before press time.