Suspect killed in officer-involved shooting at home in Thornton

Lights on a police vehicle.
Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
Lights on a police vehicle.

Updated: 10/9/24, 12:56 p.m.

The community of Thornton is in shock following the death of a neighbor in an officer-involved shooting Wednesday morning.

Officers responded to a shots fired call at a home just east of Top Golf in the 16000 block of Columbine Street just before 9 a.m. after a passerby saw smoke and heard popping coming from inside. 

Police responded, and a man came out of the home a short time later. Police Chief Greg Reeves said in a press conference that he then began shooting towards officers who returned fire as he retreated inside. Two police officers were hit, but suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were treated on scene. 

Reeves said a responding SWAT team used a drone to locate the man inside the home and confirmed that he was deceased. 

At this point, it’s unclear whether his death was caused by an officer's gunfire or if he took his own life. Police have not released his identity. 

This is a developing story, CPR will make updates available as additional information is released.