A tragic incident unfolded Saturday night in a parking lot outside a family entertainment venue in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. A deputy shot and killed a man armed with a gun during an “active shooter” situation. Authorities believe this man is linked to a separate shooting that occurred inside the Main Event just minutes earlier.
The first deputy on the scene confronted the armed man, who refused to drop his weapon and turned toward the deputy. In response, the deputy fired at the man. Despite attempts to provide life-saving measures, the armed man was pronounced dead on-site.
Inside the venue, deputies discovered a female victim who had been shot in the chest and foot. She was rushed to the hospital, where she is expected to recover.
Initially, the scene was chaotic, with many patrons present when the shots rang out. Sheriff Darren Weekly reported, “It was packed. There were a lot of patrons still here when the shots rang out.” Witnesses described hearing multiple gunshots, causing panic as people sought safety.
Authorities took the female shooter into custody, although details about her identity and the identity of the deceased man are still unclear. Investigators are currently interviewing witnesses as they continue to piece together the events of that night.
This incident underscores the importance of safety in public spaces and the need for swift law enforcement response in crisis situations.