One deputy was killed and four others were injured during an early morning domestic disturbance at a Colorado apartment complex, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office confirmed.
Two civilians also were shot by the suspect in Highlands Ranch, located 15 miles south of Denver, officials confirmed. Deputies confirmed that the suspect was shot and was "believed to be dead."
Douglas County Coroner confirms shooting suspect in #CopperCanyonOIS as Matthew Riehl DOB 9/09/80 (pictured). Investigation still ongoing and being investigated by @DA18th Critical Response Team. pic.twitter.com/H6wT0klSQv
— DC Sheriff (@dcsheriff) January 1, 2018
The deputy killed was identified as Zackari Parrish, 29, according to Douglas County Sheriff. Tony Spurlock said Sunday at a news conference.
"Zack was a smiley kid," Spurlock said."(He was) eager to work, eager to serve."
Four other law enforcement officers who were shot are all in stable condition, Spurlock said. They are Mike Doyle, 28; Taylor Davis, 30; Jeff Pelle, 32;and Tom O'Donnell, 41.
**Copper Canyon OIS Update**- Deputies responded to a domestic disturbance resulting in shots fired. 5 deputies shot by suspect. 1 deputy confirmed deceased. 2 civilians also shot by suspect. Suspect shot & believed to be dead & no longer a threat. #CopperCanyonOIS
— DC Sheriff (@dcsheriff) December 31, 2017
Spurlock revealed the names of the officers and some details of the shooting during a news conference Sunday afternoon.
— DC Sheriff (@dcsheriff) December 31, 2017
Riehl posted a YouTube video Dec. 13, where he said he wanted to replace Spurlock and railed against the sheriff and other officers in profane, highly personal terms.
Three patients with non-critical injuries were treated and released from Sky Ridge Medical Center in Lone Tree, hospital spokeswoman Linda Watson said.
The Boulder County Sheriff's Office confirmed via its Twitter account that Pelle, son of Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle, was among those injured in the shooting, KMGH reported. Through a spokesman, Joe Pelle tweeted a statement about his son's condition.
Statement from Sheriff Pelle (Part 1 of 4):
— BoulderCountySheriff (@BldrCOSheriff) December 31, 2017
“Earlier this morning, our son, Douglas County sheriff’s deputy, Jeff Pelle, was shot during the Copper Canyon shooting. Jeff underwent surgery as a result of his injuries, and is recovering. #CopperCanyonOIS
(2/4) "Additional information about the shooting, Jeff's specific involvement and injuries, and other details about the incident will be released by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office (@dcsheriff) as their investigation allows. #CopperCanyonOIS
-- BoulderCountySheriff (@BldrCOSheriff) December 31, 2017
(3/4) “We are currently with our son and his wife. He is in good spirits considering the gravity and severity of what occurred earlier this morning. #CopperCanyonOIS
— BoulderCountySheriff (@BldrCOSheriff) December 31, 2017
(4/4) “Our hearts ache for all those involved, and we are not only praying for Jeff’s recovery, but for the recovery of everyone involved, and for the family of the fallen deputy.” - Sheriff Joe & Stephanie Pelle #CopperCanyonOIS
— BoulderCountySheriff (@BldrCOSheriff) December 31, 2017
Deputies responded to a call about a domestic disturbance at the Copper Canyon Apartments at 5:13 a.m. deputies said. During the Investigation, shots were fired and multiple deputies were injured. No status on the deputies and no status on civilian injuries.
Update: Gunman kills deputy, wounds 4 other deputies at Douglas County apartment complex; 2 civilians also shot https://t.co/fyXIuLBtfB pic.twitter.com/DmNrMRICiZ
— FOX31 Denver KDVR (@KDVR) December 31, 2017
Sunday afternoon, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office had a motorcade leaving from Littleton Hospital "for our fallen deputy." The motorcade was headed to the coroner’s office.
NEW: One deputy is dead and four others were shot this morning during a domestic disturbance. Two civilians were also shot. The suspect has been shot and is believed to be dead and no longer a threat.DISCLAIMER: Commercial breaks will be in black
Posted by 9NEWS (KUSA) on Sunday, December 31, 2017
The Douglas County Sheriff's Office originally said that "multiple deputies are down," KKTV reported.
DCSO is working an officer down call in the area of County Line Rd between Colorado Blvd and University Blvd. This is an active event, please avoid the area.
— DC Sheriff (@dcsheriff) December 31, 2017
UPDATE, we have multiple deputies down, no update on their status. The scene remains active and please avoid the area.
— DC Sheriff (@dcsheriff) December 31, 2017
Alyssa Parker with Littleton Adventist Hospital confirmed to KUSA that it had taken in four patients in connection with Sunday's incident. Parker said she could not comment on the conditions of those patients.
Steven Silknitter, a resident of the Copper Canyon apartment complex, told CNN he rushed home to check on his fiancee after hearing of the shooting. HE said that when he arrived he heard a "barrage of gunfire exchange."
"I was deathly afraid that I was going to go home and she'd be gone... I didn't know what I was going to find," Silknitter told KMGH. "It's the last thing I would have thought of at my complex. It's like something out of a movie."
President Trump tweeted his "deepest condolences to the victims of the terrible shooting in Douglas County ... and their families."
My deepest condolences to the victims of the terrible shooting in Douglas County @DCSheriff, and their families. We love our police and law enforcement - God Bless them all! #LESM
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2017
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Cox Media Group