DENVER — Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting that left a man wounded in the area of 26th and Curtis Streets late Wednesday night in Denver.
Officers responded to the 1000 block of 25th Street about 11:30 p.m. Wednesday.
"We had a call from a citizen on an unknown party, a suspicious party who was trying doors in the neighborhood," said Division Chief Ron Thomas with Denver Police department.
The first officer in the area spotted a person who matched the suspicious party's description and attempted to make contact.
"That individual began to flee. Ultimately they turned and fired on the officer. the officer did return fire, continued pursuit. And then the pursuit ended about 26th and Curtis where the suspect was injured at that location," Thomas said in an early morning press conference.
About a half a dozen shots were exchanged between the officer and the suspect according to early estimates from investigators.
“He (suspect) was in possession of a handgun and that is the weapon that he used to fire upon the officer. And that was recovered at the scene.”
No officers were injured in the shooting or foot pursuit.
The Denver Police department has had prior contact with the man who was wounded. Officials did not elaborate on how he is known to the department.
"We don’t believe the person lived in the area. so hey weren’t ya know trying to gain entry into their own home. So we are not exactly sure what this person was doing in this area,"Thomas said.
Streets in the area were closed for the police investigation early Thursday.
