UPDATE | A second suspect, identified as Charity Johnson, 35, was arrested last week on suspicion of first-degree murder, according to the Westminster Police Department.
The subject of an Eagle County manhunt, wanted in connection with a Westminster park homicide over the weekend, has been taken into custody, the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office announced.
The search for the potentially armed Kenny Espinosa, 27, caused major disruption, a high-speed chase, and a shootout in Eagle County on Tuesday morning, leading to the closure of Interstate 70 and multiple shelter-in-place orders affecting residents and travelers.
The sheriff’s office said all shelter-in-place orders that affected local neighborhoods have been lifted, and I-70 through Glenwood Canyon reopened after nearly a half-day closure.
The incident began around 4 a.m., when Vail Public Safety Communications received a warning that Espinosa was reportedly near Gypsum. He is suspected of the shooting death of a man found lying face down in the parking lot of Wolff Run Park in Westminster, on Saturday morning.
The sheriff's office reported that Espinosa was armed and may be holding hostages.
Shortly after 4 a.m., an Eagle County deputy found a vehicle matching the suspect's description. The vehicle was driving westbound on I-70 at a high rate of speed.
The deputy began following the vehicle. After the driver exited and then re-entered I-70 eastbound, deputies initiated a traffic stop.
When the suspect did not comply, deputies deployed a spike strip to stop the vehicle.
Two people exited the vehicle and pointed a gun at deputies. Deputies returned fire. Deputies shot and hospitalized one suspect. No deputies sustained injuries.
"[Espinosa] took off running at the time, and that's all we can say at this time," said Eagle County Sheriff James van Beek. "It's a very open area, a lot of places to hide, a lot of places."
Deputies with the Eagle County Sheriff's Office, Garfield County Sheriff's Office, Colorado State Patrol, and the Special Operations Unit were searching for him.
Details of Espinosa’s arrest were not released.
Local authorities have requested assistance from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
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