A Fort Collins police officer shot and killed a man holding pepper spray and an “edged weapon” overnight near Colorado State University after a 911 caller reported the man was yelling racial slurs and was holding a weapon.
The caller reported the man at 9:34 p.m. Thursday in the alleyway in the 100 block of West Laurel Street just northeast of the university campus, according to a news release from Fort Collins Police Services. At least one other caller reported the man had a weapon.
Responding officers were also told the man may have attacked someone with pepper spray.
The first officer to the scene found the man in the alley holding pepper spray and an “edged weapon,” according to the news release.
“The officer gave the suspect multiple commands to drop his weapons, and the suspect did not comply,” the release stated. “The suspect began coming toward the officer and the officer used his Taser, but the suspect was able to continue advancing. The officer then fired his duty weapon several times, striking the suspect.”
Other officers arrived and began rendering medical aid to the man, and he was taken to a hospital where he died.
No community members or officers were injured, according to the news release.
The 8th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team is investigating the shooting, with the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office leading the investigation.
The Larimer County coroner will identify the man and determine the cause of death.
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