LITTLETON, Colo. — A man was shot multiple times after getting into a confrontation with a deputy in Littleton, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
Jacki Kelley, Jeffco’s public information officer, said the incident occurred shortly after midnight Thursday in the parking lot at VASA Fitness, located in a shopping center at 8055 W. Bowles Ave.
A man called 911 to report he was being followed, according to Kelley. He pulled over into the parking lot and waited for deputies to find him. The first deputy arrived a couple minutes later.
When the deputy approached, the man started acting suspiciously and made erratic statements, police said. He then "suddenly and without provocation, attacked the deputy," police said. The deputy pushed the suspect backward and the suspect, who was then holding a knife, started to move toward the deputy again.
The deputy shot at the suspect multiple times, and he fell to the ground. He was held at gunpoint until other deputies arrived.
Kelley said the man kept fighting "pretty violently" until he was subdued and taken into custody. He was then brought to the hospital.
The suspect has been identified as Mark Madera, 31. He is currently in critical condition.
Madera faces charges of attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault on a peace officer, felony menacing and resisting arrest.
No deputies were injured, and there is no threat to the public, the sheriff’s office said.
There is body cam video that will be reviewed. The deputy still needs to be interviewed, as well as witnesses who were leaving the VASA Fitness when the shooting occurred.
The Critical Incident Response Team has been notified to process the scene.
