On April 13, at approximately 12:25 p.m., officers with the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) responded to a report of a disturbance involving multiple individuals in the 4900 block of North Academy Boulevard.
As the first CSPD officer arrived on scene, she heard at least one gunshot and observed a female lying on the ground. As the officer exited her vehicle, she came under fire. The officer returned fire, discharging at least one round toward the suspect, who then fled the area on foot.
The officer located a female victim suffering from at least one gunshot wound. She was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries and remains in critical condition.
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office assumed investigative responsibility for both the officer-involved shooting and the shooting of the female victim.
Today, detectives received preliminary DNA analysis results from the Metro Crime Lab based on evidence collected at the scene.
The analysis identified the suspect as 51-year-old Vonderrick Rayford of Wisconsin. This identification was supported by video surveillance and additional evidence recovered during the investigation.
Sheriff’s Office detectives learned Rayford was involved in an officer-involved shooting in Dallas County, Iowa, on April 15th, which resulted in his death. All related inquiries should be referred to the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office.
Both the CSPD officer-involved shooting and the attempted murder of the female victim remain active and ongoing.