Colorado Police Shooting Investigation Finds Officers Wounded by Friendly Fire
What to Know
- The shooting followed a pursuit that began after officers responded to a reported home invasion on Oct. 10.
- The suspect, identified as 36-year-old Luis Morales, was shot and killed; investigators recovered a firearm at the scene.
- Officer Justin Ortiz suffered a graze wound to his ankle, and Officer Jonathon Woehler was shot in both legs; both are recovering.
PUEBLO, Colorado — Two Pueblo police officers wounded during an officer-involved shooting sustained their injuries from gunfire fired by fellow officers, according to findings released by the Pueblo Police Department.
The incident occurred Oct. 10, when officers responded to a home invasion in the 1600 block of Gaylord Avenue. The armed suspect led officers on a pursuit that ended at Regency Park Apartments in the 0-100 block of Regency Boulevard.
The suspect was shot and killed during the incident. The Pueblo County Coroner’s Office identified him as 36-year-old Luis Morales. Investigators recovered a firearm at the scene.
Two officers were struck by gunfire during the shooting. Officer Justin Ortiz sustained a graze wound to his ankle, while Officer Jonathon Woehler suffered gunshot wounds to both legs.
Woehler was transported to a hospital for treatment and released Oct. 12. Both officers are recovering.
The 10th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) is investigating the shooting. After interviewing all involved officers, investigators determined that fellow Pueblo police officers fired the shots that injured Ortiz and Woehler. The department described the incident as friendly fire.
Pueblo Police Chief Chris Noeller said the department will examine the incident to identify opportunities for improvement.
“We strive to grow from the most difficult circumstances which ultimately help us become a better agency,” Noeller said. “It is always our goal to learn and grow from the most challenging issues and that’s what we will do with this incident. We will let the evidence guide our work and make meaningful improvement that helps protect our officers and the people we serve in the Pueblo community.”
Noeller said the department will examine tactics, officer positioning, communication and decision-making. The findings will help guide potential changes to training, equipment and procedures.
The department also expressed condolences to Morales' family and loved ones.
The CIRT criminal investigation and the department's Internal Affairs review remain open. Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 16-2.5-303, which governs public statements about peace officer use-of-force incidents, the department said it is limited in the information it can release while the reviews remain active.
The department plans to provide additional information when those reviews are completed.
