Colorado Springs police saw violent attacks, an officer-involved shooting and domestic disputes last week, among other incidents, with 347 arrests being made in El Paso County.
From March 29 to April 4, the Colorado Springs Police Department posted nine blotter entries to its public database of incidents approved for release. Here is a recap of those entries:
On Monday, police responded to an assault at a city park in the 1100 block of South Nevada Avenue, where a victim was allegedly struck on the head by a large rock. Michael Howard, 55, was arrested, and the victim sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The nearest park to the address provided by police is Dorchester Park, south of downtown Colorado Springs.
On Tuesday, Skyway Park Elementary School and the surrounding area was put under shelter-in-place after a student allegedly brought and brandished a BB gun, made to look like a replica handgun, at school. The juvenile fled the scene and discarded the gun; both were found shortly after.
On Thursday, police were dispatched to a business in the 500 block of South Nevada Avenue for reported trespassing, where they detained Jason Hernandez without incident. As officers prepared to serve him a citation and release him, Hernandez allegedly attempted to escape from custody, assaulting an officer in doing so. He was taken to the El Paso County Jail on updated charges, including escape and second-degree assault.
Late Saturday night, police were patrolling the 1200 block of North Academy Boulevard when they located a suspicious vehicle, occupied by a male and female known to law enforcement. When police approached them, the male suspect, in the drivers seat, attempted to flee the scene, but the vehicle got stuck. The female occupant complied with officers and got out of the car, but the male stayed, eventually firing “at least one shot” at officers. Three officers each fired “at least one round” in return, and the male succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital.
Other incidents at a glance:
On Sunday, March 29, police responded to an assault with a weapon in the 800 block of North 19th Street. The suspect was found to be a neighbor of the victim, and no arrests were announced.
On Wednesday, an unidentified suspect entered a business in the 3700 block of East Pikes Peak Avenue, attempting to make a transaction. When an employee declined, he allegedly jumped the sales counter, took an undisclosed amount of merchandise, and fled in a vehicle. No arrests have been announced.
Also on Wednesday, a male suspect, Kayne Johnson, was arrested in connection with several menacing incidents throughout the day involving weapons. At the time of his arrest, two firearms were recovered.
On Saturday, a vehicle struck a Mountain Metro bus that was stopped at a bus station, causing both drivers to be transported to a local hospital for evaluation. No passengers were injured, and police say that speed is a likely factor in the crash.
Also on Saturday, police responded to a domestic disturbance on the city’s east side. When they arrived, officers found no probable cause for arrest, and they offered to take the male suspect, Forrest Macleod, to another location to diffuse the situation for the night. When Macleod went back in the residence to pack a bag, he allegedly fired a firearm in the house. He was arrested without further incident.