On Friday, December 13, 2024, at approximately 11:00 pm, the Colorado Springs Police Department received a “shots fired” call for service near the 3800 block of Astrozon Blvd. in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Upon their arrival, Colorado Springs Police officers located an adult male inside a vehicle in the parking lot, who was armed with a handgun and was observed waving it around.

CSPD officers contacted the adult male and attempted to verbally de-escalate the situation. CSPD officers negotiated with the individual for nearly 60 minutes, during which he refused to comply with the officers’ demands to drop the weapon and, at times, fired multiple shots in the area.

At least one CSPD officer attempted to minimize injury to the male by deploying less lethal impact munitions, which proved unsuccessful.

At one point, the suspect raised the weapon toward law enforcement, and several officers fired at least one round, striking the suspect. Colorado Springs Police officers rendered immediate medical aid on the scene; however, the suspect died at the scene.

No other community members or Colorado Springs Police officers were injured in this incident.

The suspect has been identified as Dean Ackerman, DOB 07/12/1991. The cause and manner of death will be determined by the El Paso County Coroner's Office.

While an El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Deputy was assisting during the incident, they were not involved in the shooting.

Eight CSPD officers involved in this incident have been placed on administrative leave per CSPD's policy.

In accordance with Colorado Revised Statute 16-2.5-301, the El Paso County Sheriff's Office is the lead investigative agency for this officer-involved shooting. 

This is an ongoing investigation, and information regarding the incident will be released as appropriate.