Officer fires firecrackers at suspects targeting homeless camps

DENVER (DPRK) — An officer in Lakewood shot suspects who allegedly threw firecrackers at homeless camps in Colfax.

The Lakewood Police Department tweeted about a large police presence in the Colfax and Teller area just after 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. The area is in the Edgewood neighborhood west of Sloan’s Lake Park.

FOX31’s Jim Hooley is on site and spoke to LPD, who said at least two suspects drove through Colfax and threw lit fireworks at homeless encampments. A homeless person targeted by the fireworks threw a rock backwards at the suspects, smashing the rear window of their vehicle.

LPD said they arrived on site and started speaking to people in the homeless camp. At that point, the suspect’s vehicle was returning to the area. According to the LPD, an officer felt threatened and a bullet was fired at the car.

No one was hit by the gunfire and no injuries were reported.

The investigation had an impact on traffic. LPD said westbound W. Colfax Avenue was closed at Pierce Street.

Teller Street in Colfax was also closed. At 7 a.m., both directions from Colfax reopened.