FORT COLLINS, CO - A Fort Collins police officer who was injured along with another person in a Sunday shootout was released from the hospital on Monday according to the Larimer County Sheriff's Office.
Fort Collins Police Services (FCPS) reported that officers responded to a single-vehicle rollover crash at approximately 12:410 p.m. Sunday. The driver of the vehicle reportedly emerged from the wreckage and opened fire on the officers, then fled on foot toward a nearby cemetery. The officers pursued the fleeing suspect into the cemetery, where another exchange of gunfire occurred.
The Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit’s armored rescue vehicle responded to the scene, according to the FCPS statement, which allowed officers to safely approach the stricken suspect who was later brought into custody as officers rendered aid. Both the suspect and the officer were transported to an area hospital for treatment.
Reporting from 9News identified the suspect as Clayton Pierce, 42. Pierce would later die from his injuries.
Detectives revealed that Pierce had multiple firearms in his possession and that police vehicles and several others parked nearby were struck by stray fire. Two dogs in the vehicle ran away after the crash, one who has been recovered and the other, a pit bull terrier, has not been found. No bystanders were reported injured.
According to KUAD-FM, Pierce was formerly on the Larimer County Most Wanted List and was wanted in 2020 on a felony warrant for Vehicular Eluding, three counts of Habitual Criminal, DUI with 2+ priors, DUI PER SE with 2+ Prior Alcohol, and reckless Driving.
His criminal history goes back at least two decades to a 2006 conviction for aggressive driving on a revoked license as well as a 2007 conviction for possessing a weapon as a previous offender, per CBS News. A 2011 conviction for kidnapping, felony menacing, and drug distribution charges would see him serve 12 years in prison.
Fort Collins Police Services (FCPS) reported that officers responded to a single-vehicle rollover crash at approximately 12:410 p.m. Sunday. The driver of the vehicle reportedly emerged from the wreckage and opened fire on the officers, then fled on foot toward a nearby cemetery. The officers pursued the fleeing suspect into the cemetery, where another exchange of gunfire occurred.
The Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit’s armored rescue vehicle responded to the scene, according to the FCPS statement, which allowed officers to safely approach the stricken suspect who was later brought into custody as officers rendered aid. Both the suspect and the officer were transported to an area hospital for treatment.
The Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) has issued an update regarding investigation of yesterday's (July 21, 2024) FCPS officer involved shooting.
— Fort Collins Police (@FCPolice) July 22, 2024
Access the Press Release at https://t.co/qE7d1fWdRC
Reporting from 9News identified the suspect as Clayton Pierce, 42. Pierce would later die from his injuries.
Detectives revealed that Pierce had multiple firearms in his possession and that police vehicles and several others parked nearby were struck by stray fire. Two dogs in the vehicle ran away after the crash, one who has been recovered and the other, a pit bull terrier, has not been found. No bystanders were reported injured.
An update is available in the Critical Incident Response Team investigation into a Fort Collins officer-
— Larimer Sheriff (@LarimerSheriff) July 22, 2024
involved shooting. Read more: https://t.co/vISwGOSA7f pic.twitter.com/dhDwfCjbwC
According to KUAD-FM, Pierce was formerly on the Larimer County Most Wanted List and was wanted in 2020 on a felony warrant for Vehicular Eluding, three counts of Habitual Criminal, DUI with 2+ priors, DUI PER SE with 2+ Prior Alcohol, and reckless Driving.
His criminal history goes back at least two decades to a 2006 conviction for aggressive driving on a revoked license as well as a 2007 conviction for possessing a weapon as a previous offender, per CBS News. A 2011 conviction for kidnapping, felony menacing, and drug distribution charges would see him serve 12 years in prison.
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