WARNING: The footage in the linked body camera video may be disturbing to some viewers. Discretion is advised.
(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) has released the body-worn camera (BWC) video of an officer-involved shooting that occurred on the southeast side of Colorado Springs in June.
According to CSPD, officers originally responded to reports of a man firing a gun into the air at an apartment complex in the 1400 block of Michelle Court, near the intersection of Fountain and Murray Boulevards. When officers arrived, they spoke with a witness who pointed in the direction the gunshots appeared to have come from.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: One suspect dead following overnight officer-involved shooting
As officers searched the complex, they located a man, identified as 51-year-old Jesus Ramirez Jr., holding a handgun. Officers ordered Ramirez to drop the gun and warned him if he did not comply, he would be shot. CSPD said Ramirez raised his gun and fired at least one shot at officers, at which point Officers Mike Pan and Ryan Clare fired at him.
Ramirez fell to the ground, though CSPD said he still had the gun in his hand. Officers once again ordered him to drop the gun. While lying on the ground, CSPD said Ramirez raised the gun and again fired at least one shot at the officers, and Officers Pan and Clare again fired multiple shots.
Officers approached Ramirez with the use of a tactical ballistic shield, in order to ensure he was disarmed. Once medical personnel attended to Ramirez, they determined he was dead. A loaded 38 caliber Kimber handgun was recovered from the scene.
Officer Pan has been employed with CSPD for 16 months, and Officer Clare has been employed for one year and eight months. The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office is the lead investigative agency and will send its findings to the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office once complete for a determination on the officers’ use of force…