THORNTON, Colo. — A Thornton officer who was shot early Wednesday morning during a struggle with a man over his service weapon is now out of the hospital and resting at home, according to a department spokesperson.
Officers first contacted the man, later identified as 27-year-old Gilberto Vazquez Carnero, who was a suspect in an assault that had just occurred at a nearby gas station, around 3:30 a.m., the Thornton Police Department said.
According to police, as officers contacted Carnero, there was a struggle between him and an officer. During the struggle, Thornton Police said, Carnero tried to grab the officer's gun from his holster. The department said the officer "struggled" to retain his own weapon and that during the struggle the officer was shot and seriously wounded.
Another officer then shot Carnero, who died at the scene, police said.
The officer was taken to the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Thornton Police declined to share the exact nature of the officer's injuries but said Thursday that he was released from the hospital and is resting at home.
Adalberto Rojas, who lives nearby, said the gunfire woke him up.
“There was one, and then there were the others, and then that's when I realized that there was a situation that was quite, quite serious,” Rojas said. “When I looked out, I saw the police at the spot, and later a lot of patrols that came.”
Rojas said this situation makes him question what’s happening beyond the scope of his window.
“It was striking,” Rojas said. “Also, you take it as, kind of like, How are we living? What is going on with these situations, that we have an abundance of murders, assaults, and a bunch of things? Well, it took us by surprise, honestly. That situation took us by surprise.”
The 17th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team will investigate the shooting.
The officer who discharged his weapon has been with the department for one year. He's been placed on administrative leave, which is standard protocol.