A Colorado sheriff’s deputy has died after being shot in the chest while chasing a suspect, prompting a huge manhunt.
Adams County police officer Heath Gumm, 32, and other deputies had responded to an ‘assault in progress’ at 88th Avenue and Dawson Street, in Thornton, Denver, at around 8pm on Wednesday night.
They found a male who matched the suspect’s description, who then fled behind a house and fired at the cops with a handgun, fatally wounding Gumm.
Adams County Deputy Sheriff Heath Gumm, 32, was fatally shot by a male suspect after responding to an ‘assault in progress’ at 88th Avenue and Dawson Street, in Thornton, Denver, on Wednesday night. (Pictured, police at the scene)
Authorities said that one suspect is now in custody and they are looking for ‘two light-skinned black males or dark-skinned Hispanic males dressed in all black’, according to Fox News.
Shortly before the shooting, the Adams County Sheriff’s Office tweeted: ‘Officer down, please avoid the area of 88th and Dawson Street… Large perimeter with suspect still at large.’
The tweet advised residents to ‘seek shelter away from the doors and windows’.
In a follow-up tweet, the department described a ‘large dangerous scene with active searches in progress’.
Deputy Gumm, who had served with the sheriff’s office since 2013, was pronounced dead at Denver Health Medical Center.
He is survived by his wife and family, the Colorado Police Officers Foundation reported.
Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper said in a statement: ‘We are deeply saddened to learn that the deputy has died from injuries sustained in the shooting.
‘Our thoughts and prayers are with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office and the family and friends of the deputy killed.
‘The investigation is ongoing and authorities continue to work to restore calm to the area.’