WESTMINSTER, Colo. — The Westminster Police Department is investigating an officer-involved shooting that left one man dead on Thursday.
The person killed is considered a suspect. Another man, 44-year-old Joshua Valencia, was arrested and charged with theft.
The incident happened near 120th Avenue and Sheridan Boulevard about 2:10 p.m., according to police.
Officers responded to a call regarding a theft in progress. Authorities were told a male suspect had threatened loss-prevention employees with a knife.
While Valencia fled on foot, the other suspect left in a car, police said. The man in the car tried to elude officers.
Officers pursued the vehicle and made a number of attempts to stop it. Police say the driver tried to hit an officer who was out of his patrol car.
“The officer then fired his gun and struck the male driver,” police said in a statement.
The suspect was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
Police do not believe there is a threat to the public. The 17th Judicial District Critical Incident Team will investigate the shooting.
Officers were not injured during the incident.
The 120th Avenue frontage road was closed between Chase Street and Sheridan Boulevard for the investigation.