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Overnight, a man’s refusal to pay for a cab in Boulder turned into a hours-long SWAT team standoff in which he and a police officer were both injured.
What happened? Here’s what we know thus far.
At about 1 a.m., according to the Boulder Police Department, officers tried to resolve what’s described as “a disagreement over a taxi fare” near the corner of 12th and College streets, in the Boulder neighborhood known as The Hill.
For reasons the cops don’t yet understand, the thus-far-unnamed suspect ran from the scene and holed up in an apartment building on the southeast corner of 11th and College.
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The officers had already called for backups when they reported seeing the man point a gun at them. At this point, it’s unknown if the suspect actually shot at the Boulder cops, but there’s no doubt they fired at him. The BPD confirms that at least three officers discharged their weapons
At some point along the way, the suspect was hit and two officers sustained minor injuries. 7News is reporting that one was struck by a bullet fragment, although it’s unclear at this writing whether it came from the suspect’s bullet or one fired by a cop. Initial reports also stated that a second officer was hurt and on the ground. However, he was subsequently cleared by medical personnel at the scene.
Meanwhile, a standoff began, prompting the evacuation of the apartment building in which the suspect had taken refuge. Finally, around two-and-a-half hours later, SWAT team members were able to contact the man and he was taken into custody around 4 a.m.
The man was transported to Boulder Community Hospital to be treated for a gunshot wound. 9News quotes a witness as saying he appeared to be bleeding from the ankle and seemed confused, asking officers why he was being arrested.
Here’s a 7News video from the scene.
Send your story tips to the author, Michael Roberts.
More from our Colorado Crimes archive circa October 2013: “Target practice in hotel room prompts bizarre SWAT team standoff.”
