Boulder Police Officer-Involved Shooting; Suspect Dead, Officers Uninjured

BOULDER, Colo. – The Boulder Police Department was involved a fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred near the North Boulder Recreation Center yesterday.

At approximately 4:10 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 17, officers were called to 3170 Broadway for a report of a woman pointing a gun at people who were trying to drive out of the parking lot at the recreation center. The first officers arrived on scene at 4:12 p.m. and made contact with the adult female at 4:14 p.m. as she walked away from the area and refused to listen to officers’ commands.

For nearly 15 minutes, officers tried to de-escalate the situation, including using less lethal tactics that were ineffective. The woman refused to stop or show her hands and then pulled a gun from her purse. At 4:26 p.m. two officers fired their guns. A firearm was recovered from the female’s hand. It was later determined to be a replica Beretta pistol (photos can be seen here).

Officers secured the scene and immediately began rendering aid. The woman died at the scene. The Boulder County Coroner’s Office will identify her, notify the next of kin and determine the cause and manner of death.

Boulder Police detectives are seeking the public’s help for anyone who witnessed any part of this incident to contact Detective S. Byars at ByarsS@bouldercolorado.gov or 303-441-1970 reference case 23-12689 or by uploading any videos or photos to https://bouldercopd.evidence.com/axon/community-request/public/2312689

Detectives are also seeking information about the time the same woman was inside the Boulder Recreation Center an hour before the shooting occurred. At approximately 3:13 p.m., officers were called to the center for a report of a woman inside a bathroom and refusing to leave. Officers arrived and escorted the woman off the property.

“Thankfully, no officers or other community members were injured during this incident,” Support Services Deputy Chief Ron Gosage said. “The use of deadly force is something no officer ever wants to do. The taking of a life is the most serious action an officer can take and our thoughts are with this woman’s friends and family.”

Per state law, the Boulder County Investigation Team will investigate the officer-involved shooting as with any case where an officer has fired their weapon. Witness and officer interviews are ongoing. When they’re done with their investigation, they will present it to the District Attorney’s Office.

We appreciate our other city and county resources who also responded to assist us with this incident: Boulder Fire Rescue, Parks and Recreation Urban Rangers, American Medical Response (AMR), the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office. The Boulder Parks and Recreation Urban Ranger team helped during this incident by locking down the North Boulder Recreation Center and assisting BPD with traffic management and rec center parking lot closures. After BPD told the Urban Rangers that it was safe to lift the recreation center lockdown, they reopened the facility. Boulder city staff from multiple departments worked well together during this incident to keep the community safe.

Watch the press conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxHOOnHp3HQ&t=4s

Photos of the replica Beretta pistol: