DENVER — A Denver police officer who was investigating a fireworks complaint shot and seriously injured a reportedly armed man in the city's Montbello neighborhood Tuesday evening, according to the Denver Police Department.
The shooting happened around 9 p.m. in the driveway of a home in the 4300 block of Del Rio Court.
ALERT: #DPD is investigating an officer involved shooting in the 4300 block N Del Rio Ct. One person was transported to the hospital with a gunshot wound to the leg. No officers were injured. Updates will be posted as they become available. #Denver pic.twitter.com/4YKxToMfR1
— Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice) July 2, 2025
Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas said two officers working as partners were patrolling the neighborhood after hearing fireworks. The officers, who were in the same vehicle, proceeded north on Del Rio from 43rd when they spotted five people in the street standing around "an object that is used to shoot fireworks mortars into the air," according to Thomas.
The officers got out of their vehicle to "contact" the individuals when one started walking up the driveway back toward the house. When the officers told the individual to stop, he "began to reach for his waistband."
Thomas said his officers told the individual to take his hands away from his waistband, but the person instead "drew the firearm from his waistband while facing the officer."
One of the officers fired two shots, striking the individual at least once. In its post, Denver PD said the person was struck in the leg.
The officers performed life-saving measures, including applying a tourniquet, until medical personnel arrived. The individual was then taken to Denver Health.
At this time, the individual is in surgery, and their injuries are considered serious, according to Thomas. No officers were injured.
Watch: Denver Police provide preliminary briefing regarding the officer-involved shooting that occurred in the 4300 block of N. Del Rio Ct. https://t.co/xKqTRvSMdy
— Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice) July 2, 2025
An investigation into the police shooting is underway. The police chief said not much is known at this time about the person who was shot, only that they are an adult Black male. The four other people at the scene were detained and interviewed as witnesses to the incident, according to Thomas.
Once the investigation is complete, it will be presented to the Denver District Attorney's Office. The entire process will be overseen by the Office of the Independent Monitor.
All fireworks are illegal in Denver.
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