UPDATE: MONDAY 4/3/2023 7:53 p.m.
(COLORADO SPRINGS) — A suspect is dead following an officer-involved shooting at the Citadel Mall on Monday.
According to a briefing by CSPD, the CSPD Fugitive Task Force was searching for an adult fugitive wanted on felony charges. Detectives received information that the fugitive was in a stolen car and was meeting up with another group at the Citadel Mall.
When a tactical unit made contact with the group in the food court of the mall, the suspects ran from officers. Four were captured by officers, CSPD said, three of whom were teens. Three of those arrested also had guns. Two stolen cars were also recovered as a result.
While the other four were being arrested, the wanted fugitive ran into the Burlington Coat Factory, where CSPD said officers saw him with a gun.
At least one round was fired on scene from a CSPD officer, who provided medical aid to the suspect. The suspect was taken to the hospital where they later died.
CSPD said it is unclear if the suspect fired any shots at officers, but he did produce a handgun. The officer involved will be placed on administrative leave, per department policy.
No bystanders or officers were injured, CSPD said. The mall should reopen on Tuesday, though Burlington Coat Factory will decide on its own when to reopen its store.
EPSO: Officer-involved shooting at Citadel Mall
UPDATE: MONDAY 4/3/2023 7:19 p.m.
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO) said the police presence at the Citadel Mall is an officer-involved shooting, which the Sheriff’s Office is now investigating.
EPSO tweeted about the shooting, in response to CSPD’s earlier tweet concerning their police presence at the mall. EPSO will give a statement to the media, keep checking back here for updates.
ORIGINAL STORY: “Large police presence” at Citadel Mall, avoid the area
MONDAY 4/2/2023 5:59 p.m.
The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) is reporting a large police presence at the Citadel Mall and is asking the public to avoid the area.
CSPD tweeted just before 6 p.m. on Monday, April 3 about the police presence. CSPD dispelled any rumors, and said “reports of an active shooter are incorrect.”
FOX21 has a crew on the way to the scene and will provide updates when information becomes available.
