– District attorney clears officers in Windsor shooting
– Greeley Tribune, exclude numbers and the word.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
The Conclusion of Investigation by 8th Judicial District Attorney’s Office
Windsor, UK – In a recent ruling, the 8th Judicial District Attorney’s Office has declared that two Windsor police officers were legally justified in engaging in a shootout with an armed man outside a local hotel on January 7. The conclusion was made public on Friday, with the district attorney’s office releasing a letter and report to the interim Windsor police chief. The investigation was conducted by the Criminal Incident Response Team, led by the esteemed Loveland Police Department.
The Verdict: Officers Cleared of Charges
District Attorney Gordon McLaughlin, in a letter signed by him, stated that Sgt. Stephen Cantin and Sgt. Siobhan McTighe acted within the bounds of the law when they discharged their weapons to protect themselves and others. The letter further clarified that no charges would be filed against either of the officers involved in the incident.
Armed Suspect Faces Multiple Charges
However, the individual who engaged in the gunfire exchange, Damien Jackson, 39, will be facing a long list of charges. The 8th Judicial District Attorney’s Office has filed five counts of attempted murder, five counts of felony menacing, and three counts of first-degree assault, all of which are classified as felonies. Additionally, Jackson is facing four other misdemeanor charges.
The Incident: A Detailed Account
The incident took place at approximately 4:09 p.m. on January 7, when the Windsor-Severance Fire Rescue Department received a fire alarm notification from the AmericInn Lodge and Suites located at 7645 Westgate Drive. Upon arrival, it was revealed that a guest, later identified as Damien Jackson, had triggered the fire alarm. Disturbingly, the staff informed the firefighters that Jackson was armed with a firearm. This claim was subsequently confirmed by the hotel’s surveillance footage.
Concerned about the situation’s severity, the battalion chief urgently requested assistance from the Windsor police. Responding promptly, Sgt. Stephen Cantin, Sgt. Siobhan McTighe, and Officer Iris Chavez-Quezada all arrived at the scene. Each officer was equipped with a body-worn camera, and the footage captured during the incident was thoroughly reviewed during the investigation.
Upon arrival, an employee directed the police officers to Jackson, who was standing in the parking lot wearing a reflective vest and carrying a gun. The employee expressed concern about Jackson’s erratic behavior, emphasizing the threat he posed to others.
The officers, utilizing a ballistic shield, cautiously approached Jackson, who quickly maneuvered around the front of a parked firetruck and climbed up a ladder onto the truck’s roof.
With their firearms drawn, the officers ordered Jackson to descend from the truck. However, instead of complying, Jackson fired a single shot towards the three officers. In response, the officers retreated and sought cover behind a nearby Honda sedan within the parking lot.
At the time, another vehicle occupied by two civilians was parked between the Honda and the firetruck.
Sgt. Stephen Cantin and Sgt. Siobhan McTighe, pinned down behind the Honda sedan, engaged in a gunfire exchange with Jackson. Each officer fired two shots while under cover. Jackson, on the other hand, fired an additional two shots at the officers, bringing the total to three rounds discharged.
During this intense moment, the two civilians managed to exit their vehicle and sought safety behind the Honda alongside the officers.
Recognizing the urgent need for assistance, the officers called for backup. At 4:38 p.m., reinforcements started arriving. After repeated orders, Jackson finally climbed down from the firetruck and began walking backward towards the officers.
Despite numerous commands to stop and get on the ground, Jackson failed to comply. Eventually, he was subdued and arrested by Larimer County Sheriff’s Office deputies, who had to employ a taser during their second attempt.
Upon arrest, Jackson was found to be in possession of two handguns and a 9mm Sig Sauer. He was also wearing two ballistic vests, according to the report. Although none of the officers or civilians sustained serious injuries, they expressed genuine fear for their lives during the incident. Sgt. Stephen Cantin, in particular, described the fear he experienced as Jackson fired from the elevated position on the firetruck, which offered him a significant advantage.
Sgt. Siobhan McTighe recounted seeing the muzzle blast from Jackson’s gun as he fired at them from a distance of approximately 10 yards. McTighe firmly believed that Jackson had every intention of killing them.
The investigation team interviewed several officers, witnesses, and the two civilians involved, while also meticulously reviewing surveillance footage, body-worn camera recordings, and evidence from the scene. After careful examination, the team concluded that both the officers and the civilians were faced with an immediate and life-threatening danger.
While Jackson was questioned during the investigation, the details of his statement have not been disclosed due to the pending criminal charges against him.
Jackson is currently being held on a £500,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in the 8th Judicial District Court for a status hearing on March 7.
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– District attorney clears officers in Windsor shooting
– Greeley Tribune, exclude numbers and the word keyword.
