Around 5:00 PM on Saturday, February 15, the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) 911 emergency call center received a call for service regarding a family disturbance involving a gun in the 3100 block of Illinois Avenue.
Before CSPD officers arrived on the scene, two individuals exited the residence, leaving one inside the home with the armed suspect. Upon arrival, officers identified the parties involved as members of the same family. Due to the safety concerns for the family member still inside the home, officers began safety planning and making arrangements to contact the occupants.
While preparations were being made, the officers encountered the suspect, who was armed with a firearm. The suspect did not follow the officers’ verbal commands to drop the gun and raised the gun toward the officers. In response, two officers fired at least one shot, striking the suspect. Officers provided immediate medical aid, but the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.
The suspect has been identified as 45-year-old Derrick Wardle. The cause and manner of death will be determined by the El Paso County Coroner’s Office.
No other community members, including the family inside the residence or officers, were injured in this incident. The CSPD officers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave per policy.
In accordance with Colorado state law, 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.