SWAT Team Considered In Fatal Park County Eviction

Authorities in Park County considered but ultimately rejected sending in a SWAT team to evict a man who had threatened to kill police.

According to a review by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, the sheriff's office instead decided to send a team of six deputies to evict Martin Wirth from his home in Bailey in February. Wirth opened fire, killing Sheriff's Cpl. Nate Carrigan before being killed by deputies. Two other deputies were wounded.

Sheriff Fred Wegener told The Denver Post on Wednesday that if the sheriff's office had used a SWAT team it would have been criticized for overreacting. However, he also admitted there probably could have been a different tactical solution.

Carrigan's parents and one of the wounded deputies are considering suing the agency.