COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — An Iraqi refugee accused of shooting a Colorado Springs police officer has been ordered to undergo an evaluation to determine if he is mentally competent to stand trial.
The Gazette reports District Judge Jann DuBois granted a request from Karrar Al Khammasi’s defense team Friday that he be assessed before his May 13 trial. The 32-year-old has pleaded not guilty to several charges, including attempted murder of a police officer.
Investigators say Al Khammasi and Officer Cem (Jem) Duzel shot each other during an early morning confrontation Aug. 2 after an Uber driver kicked Al Khammasi out of her car for being “touchy.” Another officer who arrived seconds later also shot Al Khammasi, who was wounded but still armed.
Duzel is recovering from a head wound.