WELD COUNTY, Colo. — A handcuffed suspect in a patrol car was allegedly able to free one of his hands to grab the holstered firearm from a Dacono police officer as he or she was driving to the Weld County Jail.
Just before 11 p.m. on Wednesday, a Dacono police officer was en route to the jail with Michael Zamarron, 20, who had been arrested in Longmont. The officer has not been identified.
While the officer was driving, Zamarron allegedly was able to slip his hand from the handcuffs, "reach through the window in the patrol car and grab the officer’s gun," according to the Greeley Police Department, which issued a press release on the incident. Greeley police said the window can be opened and the officer had it partially open while talking with the suspect.
While this was happening, the officer had just turned north on 83rd Avenue from 10th Street in Greeley.
Zamarron allegedly hit the officer multiple times in the head. Before Zamarron could get the gun completely out of the holster, the officer hit the brakes in the patrol car.
The two then began to struggle and one round was fired from the gun. It's not clear who shot the gun.
Greeley police responded to the scene and put Zamarron back in custody. He was arrested by Greeley police on charges of second-degree assault on a police officer, attempted escape and disarming a peace officer. The officer was transported to a local hospital for injuries that were not life-threatening, and has been released. The officer was not shot.
Zamarron was booked into the Weld County Jail.
Anybody with information on this case is asked to contact Greeley Det. Brian Hunziker at 970-351-5451.
This remains an active investigation. The Greeley Police Department said no other information will be released.