DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE ANGER OFTEN TAKEN OUT ON RESPONDING COPS

5 Colorado deputies shot, 1 fatally, in 'ambush' attack as they responded to domestic disturbance call

by David Kelly

Los Angeles Times
December 31, 2017

HIGHLANDS RANCH, COLO. -- Authorities here say the man who shot and killed a sheriff’s deputy and wounded four others early Saturday morning “knew we were coming” and essentially ambushed the officers.

Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock said at a news conference that the officers were responding to a noise complaint at the Copper Canyon Apartments in Highlands Ranch about 12 miles south of Denver at 5:14 a.m. MST.

One of the two men in the apartment let them inside. Spurlock said the other, who was in a bedroom, spoke briefly with the officers before opening fire on them.

“Almost immediately he began shooting,” the sheriff said. “They were all shot very quickly. It was more of an ambush attack on our officers. They knew we were coming.”

The gunman fired more than 100 rounds from a rifle, though the make of the firearm has not been released.

All five officers were wearing body armor, but the bullets hit them in unprotected areas. Those who could, crawled away. Deputy Zackari Parrish, 29, married and a father of two, was killed.

The others are being treated at hospitals. Two civilians were also wounded with non-life-threatening injuries.

After the shooting, another team of officers descended on the complex at about 7:30 a.m. They put snipers on the roof and cordoned off the neighborhood. The suspect, who has not been identified, barricaded himself in the bedroom and was killed in the ensuing shootout.

Parrish was hit multiple times. His body was moved from Littleton Adventist Hospital in a hearse, followed by a fleet of law enforcement vehicles and motorcycles. The moment was carried live on local television stations. One resident stood on the sidewalk carrying an American flag as the motorcade went past.

Parrish had been a deputy for seven months. Spurlock grew emotional as he recounted having to speak to Parrish’s widow.

“This is a tragic day. Zack was a good kid, a smiling kid, eager to work, eager to serve,” he said. “His wife told me he loved this job, loved coming to work each day.”

He said the deputy had two very young children but did not give their ages. Spurlock said he expected to learn more once the officer’s body camera footage has been processed.

The gunman was well known to law enforcement, Spurlock said, but had no known criminal record in the Denver area. He did not elaborate on how authorities knew the suspect.

Outpourings of sympathy have come from throughout the nation. Gov. John Hickenlooper wished a speedy recovery for the three sheriff’s deputies and one Castle Rock police officer wounded in the attack.

“The call to protect and serve too often leads to this ultimate sacrifice. We are grateful for the service of Deputy Parrish, his fellow deputies, and that of the Castle Rock police officer,” he said. “We pray for their and their families’ strength and resolve in the days and months ahead.”

President Trump offered his condolences to “the victims of the terrible shooting in Douglas County and their families.”

“We love our police and law enforcement — God Bless them all,” he tweeted.

Others took the occasion to highlight the number of deaths from firearms.

“As we prepare to usher in the New Year, I hope that every single American will resolve to get involved and demand our lawmakers do more to end the gun violence that kills more than 90 Americans every day,” said Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, in a statement.

Karin Asensio, a volunteer with the group, lives in Highlands Ranch, a middle-class enclave of about 100,000 people south of Denver.

“This tragedy happened in my neighborhood – less than a mile from my home – and feels deeply personal,” she said. “It’s another devastating reminder that gun violence can and does happen anywhere. It is my hope that in 2018, elected officials in our state will do more to prevent the gun violence that has become commonplace in our country.”