A gunman opened fire on sheriff's deputies responding to a call in Colorado, killing one and wounding four others before officers killed the assailant.
A volley of gunfire met deputies responded to an early morning disturbance call, Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock told reporters, with the assailant firing “well over 100 rounds” before dying in the gunfight. Two civilians were also injured.
While Mr Spurlock said officials were awaiting a positive identification before naming the suspect, he said of the shooter: “We are familiar with him”.
“This is going to be a several day investigation,” Mr Spurlock said, adding that authorities has “locked down” the apartment complex where the incident unfolded.
The slain deputy was identified as Zachary Paris, a 29-year-old who had joined the department roughly seven months ago and left behind a wife and two children. He was struck “multiple times” during the engagement, Mr Spurlock said.
“I can’t tell you how difficult it is for a leader to sit down with the spouse of an officer who was killed in the line of duty,” Mr Spurlock said. “They had many hopes and dreams and he was doing his job and doing his job well”.
All four of the deputies wounded in the confrontation were in stable condition, Mr Spurlock said, and two civilians were recovering from “non-life-threatening” injuries.
“It’s just regular people trying to live their life, disrupted by this individual,” he said.
Donald Trump offered his condolences on Twitter to victims of the “terrible shooting”.
“We love our police and law enforcement - God Bless them all”! the President wrote.
A procession to honour the deceased officer was swiftly planned for the same morning, with the sheriff's department warning of heavy traffic.
Deputies were responding to a call of a domestic disturbance around 5.15 am local time at the Copper Canyon Apartments on County Line Road in Highlands Ranch — about 20 miles south of Denver — the Sheriff’s Office said.
A number of local police forces were on alert over the incident, while a SWAT team was said to be responding. A major road south of Denver was also shut down in the wake of the incident.
A "code red" warning was issued for the surrounding area, with authorities calling for local residents to shelter where they are, as well as avoid windows and stay clear of exterior walls.
An emergency shelter was set up in the local area, with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office announcing that anyone displaced from their homes over the incident should head there.
The FBI's Denver office said it was monitoring the situation and offered a message of support.
Agencies have contributed to this report
