In the early morning hours of July 11, 2023, just after midnight, officers with the Manitou Springs Police Department stopped a vehicle in the area of Colorado Avenue and Ridge Road. This section of public roadway is located on the west side of the Colorado Springs metropolitan area in unincorporated El Paso County.
The officers identified one of the vehicle’s occupants as Wesley Braden, DOB: 06-05-1991. It was determined Wesley was a habitual offender wanted for numerous violent Felony charges including Felony domestic violence, Attempted Murder, First Degree Assault with a Deadly Weapon Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, Possession of a Weapon by a Previous Offender, Felony Menacing, and Aggravated Robbery, as well as other Misdemeanor and Traffic related charges.
Deputies with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office arrived a short time later to assist the officers due to the nature of the warrants associated to Wesley.
Upon officers and deputies attempting to take him into custody, Wesley violently resisted. During this struggle, Wesley fired at least one round at a deputy from a handgun that was concealed on his person. Miraculously, duty gear the deputy was wearing stopped the round, preventing it from seriously injuring or killing him. Wesley was eventually taken into custody. No law enforcement personnel fired their weapons.
Detectives with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene to investigate.
Wesley was later booked into the El Paso County Jail for his outstanding warrants. Additionally, as a result of the investigation into this incident, he was also booked for new Felony and Misdemeanor charges including Attempted First-Degree Murder of a Peace Officer, Obstruction, Resisting Arrest, and Possession of a Weapon by a Previous Offender. He is currently being held on a $1,000,000 bond. His booking photo is attached to this media release.
Sheriff Joseph J. Roybal would like to thank these Manitou Springs police officers and El Paso County deputies for their heroic actions last night in taking this violent offender off the streets and for all personnel of the Sheriff’s Office for the work they do each day which contributes to the safety and security of the Pikes Peak region. Additionally, he would like to acknowledge the important collaborative work law enforcement agencies at all levels conduct within El Paso County do each day.
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