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Man pleads not guilty to shooting Colorado Springs police officer

Karrar Noaman Al Khammasi is accused of shooting Officer Cem Duzel, who survived but was left with a serious brain injury.
Officer Cem Duzel of the Colorado Springs Police Department. (Photo: Colorado Springs Police Department)

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — A man who came to the United States as an Iraqi refugee has pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of a Colorado police officer in August 2018.

Karrar Noaman Al Khammasi entered his plea Friday, about a month after a judge ruled he was fit to stand trial. A trial date was set for Feb. 18, 2020.

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Al Khammasi, 32, is charged with shooting officer Cem Duzel, causing a serious brain injury. He is also charged with assault with a deadly weapon, felony menacing and illegal possession of a weapon.

31-year-old Karrar Noaman Al Khammasi

Court records said Al Khammasi had been slated for deportation in 2016 until a change in immigration law meant his felony trespassing conviction was no longer grounds for removal.

RELATED: John Cena records heartfelt message for injured Colorado Springs officer

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