– District attorney clears officers in Windsor shooting
– Greeley Tribune Windsor shooting.

Accident – Death – Obituary News :

Windsor Police Officers Justified in Gunfire Exchange Outside Hotel, Says 8th Judicial District Attorney’s Office

Two police officers from Windsor have been deemed legally justified in exchanging gunfire with an armed man outside a hotel in Windsor on January 7, according to the 8th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. The conclusion was reached following a thorough investigation conducted by the Loveland Police Department’s Criminal Incident Response Team.

In a letter and report released by District Attorney Gordon McLaughlin, it was stated that Sgt. Stephen Cantin and Sgt. Siobhan McTighe were well within their rights to fire their weapons in order to protect themselves and others. As a result, neither of the officers will face charges.

On the other hand, Damien Jackson, the man involved in the gunfire exchange, is now facing a range of charges. The 8th Judicial District Attorney has formally filed five counts of attempted murder, five counts of felony menacing, and three counts of first-degree assault, all of which are felonies. Additionally, Jackson is facing four other misdemeanor charges.

The incident occurred at approximately 4:09 p.m. on January 7, when the Windsor-Severance Fire Rescue Department responded to a fire alarm at the AmericInn Lodge and Suites located at 7645 Westgate Drive. It was later confirmed through hotel surveillance footage that Jackson, who was identified as a guest, was armed with a gun. Staff members promptly alerted the firefighters about the situation.

Within eleven minutes, the battalion chief urgently requested the assistance of Windsor police officers. Sgt. Cantin, Sgt. McTighe, and Officer Iris Chavez-Quezada swiftly responded to the call. All three officers were equipped with body-worn cameras, and the footage captured during the incident played a crucial role in the subsequent investigation.

An employee at the scene directed the officers to Jackson, who was standing in the parking lot wearing a reflective vest and holding a gun. According to the report, the employee described Jackson’s behavior as “sporadic” and expressed concern about his potential danger.

Approaching Jackson with a ballistic shield, the officers ordered him to step down from a ladder he had climbed onto the front of a parked firetruck. However, instead of complying, Jackson ascended to the roof of the firetruck and proceeded to fire a single shot in the direction of the officers. In response, the officers sought cover behind a Honda sedan parked in the lot, while another vehicle containing two civilians acted as a barrier between them and the firetruck.

Both Sgt. Cantin and Sgt. McTighe returned fire, each discharging two shots from their respective positions behind the Honda sedan. Jackson fired two additional shots, making a total of three shots discharged by him, as per the report.

During the gunfire exchange, the two civilians managed to exit their vehicle and sought refuge behind the Honda sedan alongside the officers. Realizing the severity of the situation, the officers called for backup, and additional law enforcement personnel arrived at the scene around 4:38 p.m. After repeated orders, Jackson eventually climbed down from the firetruck and walked backward toward the officers.

However, Jackson failed to comply with the officers’ instructions to stop and get down on the ground. Eventually, Larimer County Sheriff’s Office deputies were forced to deploy a taser twice before successfully apprehending Jackson.

Following his arrest at 4:48 p.m., paramedics evaluated Jackson, who declined medical treatment. Two handguns and a 9mm Sig Sauer were recovered from Jackson’s possession during the arrest, and he was found to be wearing two ballistic vests.

Although no serious injuries were sustained by the officers or the civilians involved, they expressed genuine fear for their lives during the incident. Sgt. Cantin described the feeling of vulnerability as Jackson fired at them from an elevated position on the firetruck, which he described as a “far superior position of advantage.” Sgt. McTighe reported witnessing the muzzle blast from Jackson’s gun, believing that he was actively attempting to kill them.

As part of the investigation, officers interviewed various individuals present at the scene, including witnesses, the officers involved, and the two civilians. Surveillance footage and body-worn camera recordings were meticulously reviewed, alongside evidence collected from the scene. Based on the evidence gathered, it was concluded that the officers and civilians faced an immediate and life-threatening danger.

While investigators did speak with Jackson, the details of his statement have not been disclosed in the critical incident report due to the pending criminal charges against him.

Currently, Jackson remains in custody with a bond set at $500,000. His next court appearance is scheduled for a status hearing on March 7 at the 8th Judicial District Court.

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– District attorney clears officers in Windsor shooting
– Greeley Tribune District attorney clears officers in Windsor shooting.