News - Local
Pueblo detective identified after deadly officer-involved shooting
Posted: Jan 4, 2013 12:16 PM by Kirsten Bennett
Updated: Jan 4, 2013 6:00 PM
The detective who shot and killed Christopher Tavares, who an hour earlier shot a Pueblo Police Officer, has been named.
Pueblo Police Detective James Olonia is an eleven year veteran with the Pueblo Police Department. He has worked in patrol and is currently assigned as a crimes against persons Detective.
Olonia was called in to investigate the crime of an officer being shot that took place in the 800 block of Craig. As he drove through the area of Hwy. 50 West and Elizabeth he observed a male, later identified as Tavares, acting unusual in the median of Hwy. 50 West. Olonia attempted to make contact with Tavares, who refused to stop. Tavares ignored the commands being given by Detective Olonia and began to reach into his clothing, looking for an item. The incident ended with Tavares being shot and later pronounced dead. A gun was recovered in the area where Tavares fell.
Olonia is on routine administrative leave. The investigation is still ongoing and is being conducted by Pueblo's Critical Incident Team.
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