Parole officer shoots, kills wanted felon

Cops say fugitive is possible suspect in metro robberies

By Alan Gathright, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published May 14, 2008 at 11 p.m.

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A state parole officer shot and killed a felony fugitive Tuesday night after the man pointed a handgun at the officer, Denver police said Wednesday.

Investigators suspect the fugitive may have been involved in several armed robberies across the metro area, said Denver police Detective Sharon Hahn. Police are awaiting the coroner's confirmation of the dead man's identity before releasing his name.

The shooting occurred before 9:15 p.m. at a multifamily building in the 1700 block of Emerson Street.

The parole officer went there to check one of his parolees when he confronted another man whom he recognized as a wanted felon, police said.

"It's my understanding that (the fugitive) pulled a gun out and pointed it toward the parole officer," Hahn said.

The wounded man was transported by ambulance to Denver Health Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

The shooting is being investigated by the Denver homicide bureau.

Officials with the Colorado Department of Corrections, where the parole officer works, said they also will follow up on the incident.

"Everything is under investigation," Katherine Sanguinetti, a DOC spokeswoman, said Tuesday.

"We will follow the standard law enforcement protocol. At this point, the Denver police (department) is taking the lead on the investigation."

Sanguinetti said it is rare for a parole officer to be involved in a shooting.

"It's been 15 years since this has occurred," she said.

gathrighta@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5486

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