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Crime

Gunman goes on shooting rampage in Denver, nearby suburb before killed by police

Four killed and three wounded, including officer, before spree stopped in busy shopping district

December 28, 2021 7:45am

Updated: December 28, 2021 9:35am

A gunman went on a shooting rampage across Denver and its suburb of Lakewood, killing four and wounding an officer and two others before being killed in an exchange of gunfire with police.

Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen said authorities don’t know yet what prompted the man Monday evening to go on the killing spree, which began at a city street corner in Denver and ended in a crowded shopping district in the neighboring suburb.

Police engaged in a chase and multiple exchanges of gunfire as the suspect moved by car and foot, eventually wounding one officer in Lakewood. The officer was taken into surgery.

The shooter was eventually killed in the busy Belmar shopping district, police said.

“We believe this individual was responsible for this very violent series of events that took place in the Denver-metro area,” Pazen said.

“We need to really dig and find out what the motivation behind this was,” he added.