LITTLETON, Colo. — Littleton Police (LPD) identified the suspect wanted for the shooting of an officer as 33-year-old Rigoberto "Rigo" Valles Dominguez.
LPD said Officer David Snook and Cpl. Jeff Farmer responded around 11:20 p.m. Monday for reports of shots fired in the area of West Powers Avenue and South Bannock Street. That's one block west of South Broadway.
The officers made contact with Dominguez as a possible suspect who then ran away, turned and fired gunshots from a handgun towards the officers and went into an apartment building, according to LPD.
Officers returned fire, but LPD said they do not know if Dominguez was hit.
Snook was hit at least three times in the chest, arm and leg before Farmer and another officer who arrived around the time of the shooting were able to move him into a police vehicle for transportation to the hospital, LPD said.
Snook remains in the hospital in critical but stable condition as of Wednesday afternoon after undergoing surgery, LPD said.
LPD also said Farmer suffered a serious knee injury while getting to safety.
Snook was wearing body armor at the time, LPD said.
While officers were getting Snook to safety, LPD said the suspect was able to escape.
During a briefing Tuesday morning LPD Chief Doug Stephens said he did not believe there was an immediate threat to the community and he lifted a shelter in place order. However, a few hours later around 11:30 a.m. there was an armed carjacking about a block away near 103 West Powers Circle. That was about 12 hours after the original shooting.
LPD said Dominguez is the primary suspect in that incident as well, and believe he may have hid himself in the area until authorities cleared the scene.
The suspect fired one shot during the carjacking before leaving with the stolen 2002 Ford Explorer with Colorado license plate number AGM-D94 pictured below, LPD said.
Dominguez is wanted on two counts of attempted murder for firing at the two officers, LPD said.
He is described as being 5-foot-5, weighing 190 pounds, with buzzed black hair, brown eyes and a close cropped beard, according to LPD, and he was last seen wearing a white t-shirt and blue jeans.
He should be considered armed and dangerous, and LPD asks anyone with information to contact authorities.
And second person was contacted by officers around the time Dominguez opened fire, but LPD said there are no additional suspects in the shooting or carjacking at this time.
> Watch Wednesday's full press conference below.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867 or visit metrodenvercrimestoppers.com. Tipsters can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $10,000.
Metro Denver Crime Stoppers works by assigning a code to people who anonymously submit a tip. Information is shared with law enforcement, and Crime Stoppers is notified at the conclusion of the investigation.
From there, an awards committee reviews the information provided and, if the information leads to an arrest, the tipster will be notified. Rewards can be collected using the code numbers received when the tip was originally submitted.
> More information about Metro Denver Crime Stoppers can be found here.
> Additional Crime Stoppers bulletins can be found here.
Currently, LPD officers are not equipped with body-worn cameras. By July 1, 2023, all police and sheriff's departments in Colorado are required to equip their officers with body cameras.
Snook is a 13-year law enforcement veteran, husband and father of three. Farmer is a 15-year veteran, and is also a husband and father. Both have spent their entire law enforcement careers with LPD.
A fund has been set up to support Snook and his family. Donations can be made to the Rocky Mountain Law Enforcement Credit Union in his name.
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