LAKESIDE, Colo. — A man wielding a box cutter was shot and injured by a Lakeside police officer Tuesday afternoon, according to police.
At about 4:27 p.m., employees at a Walmart on West 44th Avenue reported a shoplifting and told police the suspect was walking eastbound through the Walmart parking lot, according to the Lakeside Police Department (LPD).
A minute later, an LPD officer arrived at the scene in a marked police car and found the suspect north of the Murphy's Express at 5601 W. 44th Ave., according to LPD. The officer got out of the vehicle and talked to the suspect, LPD said in a release.
The suspect started walking toward the officer with a box cutter, police said. The officer retreated to the back of the vehicle as the man approached, according to police. The man stopped at the driver-side door of the car, police said.
As the man started to approach the officer again, the officer drew their gun and continued to move away from the suspect, according to LPD. The officer gave several verbal commands to the suspect and continued to back into a wet, muddy, undeveloped area north of the gas station, police said.
The suspect did not comply with any of the commands and the officer slipped and fell backward onto the ground, according to police. While the officer was on the ground, the suspect continued to move toward the officer while holding the box cutter, police said.
The officer fired their weapon and hit the suspect in the leg, according to LPD. The suspect then fell to the ground, according to police.
As additional LPD officers arrived on scene, they saw the suspect on the ground, repeatedly stabbing himself in the neck and screaming "kill me," police said. Officers were able to kick the box cutter away from the suspect and restrain him without further incident, LPD said.
A tourniquet was used on the suspect following the shooting and the suspect was transported to the hospital, according to police.
No officers were injured during the call, according to LPD.
A Jefferson County Sheriff's Office spokesperson said the officer who fired their gun will be put on paid administrative leave.
Anyone who may have seen something or has more information is asked to call Lakeside Police at 720-757-7247 or Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867.
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