COLORADO SPRINGS – As of Thursday night, Colorado Springs Police Officer Cem Duzel remained in critical condition following a shooting early Thursday morning.
Officer Duzel is a five-year veteran who works out of the Sand Creek substation. He was critically wounded in a shootout on Thursday. He is undergoing treatment at UCHealth Memorial. Colorado Springs Police said Duzel’s family arrived in town on Thursday night and is at the hospital with him. However, it’s not the only support he’s getting.
Anselma Gonzalez said, “Good luck to him and his family, and all the officers. I’ll say a prayer.”
Gonzalez lives in the area where Officer Duzel was shot. He is the fourth Colorado officer to be shot in the line of duty just this year.
Gonzalez said, “I just wish all these crooks would get off the street…it’s just like devastating.”
Tammi Murphy said, “It’s discouraging.”
Murphy lives nearby and said early Thursday morning she heard “boom, boom, boom.”
With Officer Duzel critically wounded and in the hospital, all she can ask now “Is he going to make it? And they said he may not.”
This violent situation is personally affecting fellow neighbor Skyler Shockley.
“My family is law enforcement and so the fact that one of our men in blue was injured it really hits close to home.”
It’s a devastating situation for all of Colorado Springs, but the community is staying strong in the midst of uncertainty.
Shockley said, “At this point I’m really hoping the officer pulls through, really hope he makes it for his family and for everyone here in Colorado Springs. We’re all rooting for him.”
News 5 will continue to keep you updated on Officer Duzel’s condition as we get more information.
