Accident – death – Obituary News :

Deputy’s Use of Force Justified in Larimer County Pursuit, Says District Attorney

The 8th Judicial District Attorney, Gordon McLaughlin, has concluded that a Larimer County Sheriff’s Office deputy was legally justified in his use of force during a pursuit in Fort Collins. The incident occurred in November when the deputy shot at a kidnapping suspect from Weld County. McLaughlin’s decision came after the conclusion of the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) investigation into the case.

According to investigators, the suspect, identified as Sire Nolasco, was located in west Fort Collins after being suspected of a kidnapping in Weld County on November 2. When law enforcement attempted to stop the suspect’s vehicle, he fled, leading them on a lengthy pursuit through the city. The pursuit took place from the City Park area south on Shields Street, and then east on Horsetooth Road.

At the intersection of Horsetooth Road and College Avenue, the deputy, identified as Sgt. David Plummer, placed down tire spikes in an attempt to stop the suspect. However, the suspect managed to avoid the spikes and drove straight at Plummer. In response, Plummer shot multiple times at the oncoming vehicle. Fortunately, Plummer narrowly avoided being hit by the vehicle.

Nolasco continued westbound on Horsetooth Road, and at the Shields Street intersection, the two passengers in the vehicle, the kidnapping victim and an acquaintance, asked to be let out. They were allowed to exit the vehicle, but the female passenger sustained an injury from a bullet fragment caused by Plummer’s gunfire. The medical evidence indicated that the injury occurred after the bullet fractured and ricocheted through the vehicle.

The investigation revealed that the female victim was in danger based on surveillance footage of the alleged kidnapping in Greeley. The second passenger, who had asked for a ride earlier that night, was arrested on outstanding warrants but not charged in relation to this incident.

After dropping off the passengers, Nolasco continued north on Shields Street and eventually crashed near Rocky Mountain High School. He had to be extricated from the vehicle and was transported to the hospital for injuries sustained in the crash. It was determined that he was not injured by gunfire.

McLaughlin reviewed traffic cameras and police body camera footage, which showed Nolasco driving recklessly throughout the pursuit, including traveling at excessive speeds and driving on the wrong side of the road. Considering the totality of the evidence, McLaughlin concluded that Plummer’s use of force was justified, despite the unfortunate injury to the victim.

Nolasco is currently facing multiple charges in Larimer County, including attempted murder, first-degree assault, vehicular eluding, and reckless endangerment. He is also charged with kidnapping in Weld County. At the time of the incident, Nolasco was out on bond for a prior kidnapping and attempted murder case in Weld County.

The CIRT, formed in 2015, is responsible for investigating incidents involving the discharge of a firearm by a peace officer that resulted in injury or death. The team is automatically activated when a police officer is involved in a shooting, and the agency employing the officer alerts the team. CIRT also investigates incidents resulting in serious injury or death, including car crashes, as well as incidents in the Larimer County Jail.

Fort Collins Police Services, Loveland Police Department, and the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office take turns being the lead agency for police shooting investigations. Other agencies involved in the investigations include Windsor Police Department, Timnath Police Department, Johnstown Police Department, Estes Park Police Department, Colorado State University Police Department, Colorado State Patrol, and the Larimer County District Attorney’s Office.

Once a CIRT investigation is completed, the district attorney reviews the report and determines if any criminal charges will be filed related to the incident.

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