“Police Officers in Windsor, CO Justified in Use of Force in Shooting Incident, Says DA Gordon McLaughlin”

1. Police justified gunfire exchange
2. DA says police justified in gunfire exchange.

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Windsor Police Officers Justified in Exchange of Gunfire with Man on Firetruck, Says District Attorney

In a decision letter released on Friday afternoon, 8th Judicial District Attorney Gordon McLaughlin stated that the Windsor police officers who exchanged gunfire with a man on top of a firetruck at a hotel early last month were legally justified in their use of force. McLaughlin’s decision comes after a thorough review of the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) investigation conducted by the Loveland Police Department.

As part of his review, McLaughlin carefully analyzed the body camera footage of the officers and reviewed their interviews with CIRT investigators. Although no one was injured in the shooting, McLaughlin emphasized the importance of conducting a CIRT investigation for the sake of transparency and thoroughness.

The incident occurred on January 7 at the AmericInn Lodge and Suites on Westgate Drive. Windsor Severance Fire Rescue personnel initially responded to a fire alarm activation and informed the officers that a guest, later identified as Damian Jackson, had pulled the fire alarm. Hotel staff described Jackson as wearing a reflective vest, acting erratically, and potentially armed.

Sergeant Stephen Cantin and Officer Siobhan McTighe, who has since been promoted to sergeant, approached Jackson with their weapons drawn, while another officer held a ballistic shield. According to McLaughlin’s letter, as the officers advanced, Jackson climbed up a ladder on the side of the firetruck, prompting the officers to issue multiple verbal commands for him to stop and get off the truck.

Despite the officers’ instructions, Jackson reached the top of the truck, pulled out a gun, and fired a single shot at the officers. In response, Cantin and McTighe took cover behind a parked car and exchanged gunfire with Jackson. The body camera footage revealed that each officer fired two shots, while Jackson reportedly fired two additional shots.

During the exchange of gunfire, two civilians in another vehicle managed to escape and seek refuge behind the officers’ parked car. At around 4:45 p.m., Jackson descended from the firetruck and began walking toward the officers. Despite commands to stop and get on the ground, Jackson ignored the officers’ instructions. A deputy from the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office attempted to use a Taser, which proved unsuccessful. However, a second deputy successfully deployed their Taser, enabling Jackson’s arrest at around 5 p.m.

Upon his arrest, investigators discovered that Jackson was carrying two handguns and wearing two ballistic vests. Another gun, along with 12 unfired rounds, was found on top of the firetruck, suggesting that three shots had been fired from that weapon.

CIRT investigators interviewed both McTighe and Cantin, who expressed their fears for their lives and the lives of their team during the incident. Cantin recalled believing he had been shot and confirmed with McTighe that he hadn’t. Fortunately, no one was injured in the shooting.

Jackson currently faces multiple charges, including attempted murder, first-degree assault, felony menacing, false reporting, resisting arrest, obstructing a peace officer, and reckless endangerment. His defense attorney, Benjamin Iddings, requested a competency evaluation for Jackson, which was granted by the judge. Jackson is scheduled to appear in court on March 7 and is currently held at the Larimer County Jail on a $500,000 bond.

It is important to note that all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court, and the charges against them are merely accusations until a conviction is obtained..

1. “Police justified gunfire exchange”
2. “Police justified exchange in gunfire”.