Suspect Identified in Branding Iron Circle CSPD Officer Involved Shooting

On August 22, 2025, at approximately 2:48 PM, officers with the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) assigned to the Violent Fugitive Offender Task Force and Tactical Enforcement Unit responded to the 1100 block of Branding Iron Circle in Colorado Springs, Colorado, regarding a disturbance involving a suspect known to law enforcement and wanted for previous crimes.

Upon arrival, officers located the suspect seated in the driver’s seat of a vehicle. Officers positioned their vehicles to prevent the suspect from fleeing and gave repeated verbal commands for the suspect to exit the vehicle. The suspect refused to comply and was observed to be armed with a firearm.

During the encounter, the suspect displayed a firearm and pointed it at officers. At least one CSPD officer fired one round, striking the suspect. Officers immediately took the suspect into custody and began providing emergency medical care until paramedics arrived. Despite these efforts, the suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene by responding medical personnel.

The suspect has been identified as 42-year-old Cole Vannuci.

No officers or community members were injured during this incident.

Recent News Articles

Sheriff’s Office Seeks Information in Yoder Area Shooting Incident

On April 4, 2026, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Regional Communications Center received a 9-1-1 call reporting a shooting which had occurred in the late evening hours in the 31000 block of Truckton Road in unincorporated El Paso County. The reporting party stated an unknown individual banged on their door, and shortly thereafter, they heard multiple gunshots on their

Read More »

Illegal Encampment Cleared Near Highway 24

On March 10, 2026, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office received reports of a homeless encampment near mile marker 297 along U.S. Highway 24, between Manitou Springs and Green Mountain Falls in unincorporated El Paso County. Area residents reported signs of illegal camping, including large amounts of trash being dumped near the encampment. One resident also reported the individuals associated

Read More »

Sheriff’s Office Update on Officer-Involved Shooting Near North Academy Blvd and East San Miguel Street

On April 4, 2026, at approximately 10:57 PM, a Metro Task Force composed of officers from the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) and a deputy from the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO) were conducting proactive enforcement in the 1200 block of North Academy Boulevard in Colorado Springs. While in the area, the Task Force observed a suspicious vehicle occupied

Read More »

Swift Response Leads to Arrest in Hanover Arson Investigation

On April 5, 2026, at approximately 9:07 AM, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Regional Communications Center received multiple reports of several fires in the Hanover area of unincorporated El Paso County. Callers also reported an adult male fleeing the area on foot into an adjacent field. Hanover Fire personnel responded and requested law enforcement assistance due to reports of

Read More »

Contact Information

Phone
(719) 520-7100

Address
El Paso County Sheriff’s Office
27 East Vermijo Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Office hours
8:00 am – 4:30 pm