A Boulder police officer is recovering at home after prosecutors say a routine call turned into a near-fatal struggle at an apartment complex on the 1800 block of 22nd Street on Monday, Feb. 9. The officer was knocked unconscious when his head hit a rock and suffered a torn ACL, bruising and a concussion. The suspect, identified as 36-year-old Justin Lyle Radley-Sharpe, was tased at the scene and taken into custody. He is now charged with attempted murder of a peace officer.
What happened
Just after 5 p.m., officers were dispatched on a report of a man threatening another person and possibly carrying a gun, according to the City of Boulder. The first officer on scene began talking with the suspect, but officials say the man walked away, ignored commands and then fought with the officer.
During the struggle, both went to the ground and the officer’s head struck a rock, knocking him unconscious, the city’s account states. Dispatchers then lost radio contact with the downed officer. Additional officers arrived, used a Taser on the suspect and took him into custody at the complex, according to the city.
Charges and official response
The Boulder County District Attorney’s Office has upgraded the case to include two counts of Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder in the First Degree, along with multiple counts of assault, menacing, harassment and obstruction, per the City of Boulder. District Attorney Michael Dougherty praised the quick actions of responding officers and said, “It became an incredibly serious attack on a police officer,” adding that prosecutors will “prosecute this attempted murder case to the full extent,” according to the release…