COLORADO SPRINGS — Karrar Noaman Al Khammasi, the man suspected of shooting and critically injuring Colorado Springs Police Officer Cem Duzel in 2018, has been ruled competent to stand trial following a second evaluation.
Al Khammasi also withdrew his not guilty plea, and he is now scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 6 for his arraignment. He was previously ruled competent to stand trial by doctors at the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo determined he is competent to stand trial. However, the law allowed for the defense to request another look at their client’s mental state.
Al Khammasi is charged with attempted first-degree murder of a police officer, felony menacing, and possession of a weapon by a previous offender.
According to a report from prosecutors, Duzel and another officer responded to the area near Bonfoy and Boulder on a shots fired call in the early morning hours of Aug. 2. Shortly after they responded, Duzel encountered Al-Khammasi, who was walking along Boulder Street.
Prosecutors said that’s when they shot at each other. According to the report, Duzel was hit in the head. Carter shot Al-Khammasi and began administering medical care to each of them.
The 4th Judicial District Attorney’s office ruled in October that Duzel and CSPD Corporal Ron Carter were acting in self-defense and in defense of others when they fired their weapons at Al Khammasi on Aug. 2. Neither Carter or Duzel were charged following the shooting.
