Aurora police fatally shot a suspect who attacked an officer, stole a cruiser and triggered a pursuit through an snowstorm early Monday morning.
The incident began around 3:45 a.m. when the officer stopped for what he believed was a stalled car on an exit ramp from I-225 to Alameda to offer assistance, according to The Aurora Sentinel.
After the officer spoke to the driver, another man in the car climbed out and attacked the officer while the officer with a sharp object as he was walking back to his patrol car. The suspect sliced the officer’s head. The officer, who was able to return fire before the man stole his cruiser, suffered a deep gash on his head but is expected to survive his injuries.
Aurora Police Chief Nick Metz told reporters that the attack on the officer amounted to an attempted murder.
The wounded officer was able to provide a description of the suspect to his colleagues who chased the stolen cruiser east on Alameda and reached speeds of about 65 mph.
An officer eventually caught up to the stolen cruiser and rammed it, causing it to come to a stop. Officers then confronted the man, who had a dark object in his hand. Officials said that when the suspect refused to drop it, the officers opened fire. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The incident is currently under investigation.
