Lakewood Shooting: One Police Officer Killed, Three Wounded in Colorado

One Lakewood police officer was killed and three other officers were wounded in a shooting involving an RTD public transit bus in Lakewood, Colorado, on Thursday evening, November 5, 2026. Police confirmed that the suspect was also shot and killed, while a civilian was injured during the incident.

The shooting happened near West Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard, west of Denver. According to Lakewood police, officers approached a suspicious person who was boarding an RTD bus. The person opened fire, and officers returned fire.

The incident prompted a major emergency response and an investigation involving local and state authorities.

What happened in the Lakewood shooting?

The shooting occurred Thursday evening near the intersection of West Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard.

Lakewood police said officers had been called to investigate a report of a suspicious person. When they approached the individual as he was boarding an RTD bus, the suspect opened fire.

Officers returned fire, striking the suspect, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Four Lakewood police officers were shot and transported to hospitals. One later died from their injuries, while three others remained under medical care.

A civilian bystander was also injured and taken to a hospital.

Police have not yet released a complete account of every moment leading up to the exchange of gunfire.

How many Lakewood police officers were shot?

Four Lakewood police officers were shot during the incident.

The confirmed casualty figures are:

  • One officer killed: The officer died after being transported to a hospital.
  • Three officers wounded: They were taken to hospitals for treatment.
  • One civilian injured: A bystander was also transported for medical care.
  • Suspect killed: Police shot the suspect during the exchange of gunfire, and the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis expressed condolences to the family and friends of the officer who died. He also said he hoped the three wounded officers and the injured civilian would recover.

The identities of the officers and the full details of their medical conditions had not been provided in the initial reports.

Where did the Lakewood shooting happen?

The shooting happened near West Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard in Lakewood, Colorado, a city west of Denver.

Police initially asked members of the public to avoid the intersection while emergency responders and investigators worked at the scene.

The location is part of a busy transportation and commercial corridor connecting Lakewood with the wider Denver metropolitan area.

There was also a significant emergency response near Denver Health, where some of the injured people were taken for treatment.

Exact Location and Venue of the Lakewood Shooting

The shooting occurred aboard an RTD-contracted public transit bus operating on Route 76 (Wadsworth Boulevard) in Lakewood, Colorado.

The incident was reported near the intersection of:

  • West Colfax Avenue
  • Wadsworth Boulevard
  • Lakewood, Colorado, United States

The location is west of Sloan Lake, in the Denver metropolitan area.

Lakewood police initially asked the public to avoid the intersection while emergency crews and investigators responded. RTD confirmed that the bus involved was servicing Route 76.

Although the intersection identifies the general incident location, authorities have not provided a more precise bus stop, street address or confirmed GPS location for where the shooting began.

Venue: RTD Route 76 public transit bus

Area: West Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard

City: Lakewood

State: Colorado

Country: United States

Was the Lakewood shooting on an RTD bus?

Yes. The incident involved an RTD-contracted bus operating on Route 76.

The Regional Transportation District confirmed that the shooting occurred aboard a bus serving the route in Lakewood.

According to the police account, officers approached the suspect as the person was boarding the bus. The suspect then opened fire, leading to an exchange of gunfire.

RTD said its personnel responded to the incident and were cooperating with the Lakewood Police Department's investigation.

The agency also said there were no impacts to RTD service at the time of its statement.

Was the suspect killed in the Lakewood shooting?

Yes. Lakewood police said officers returned fire after the suspect opened fire on them.

The suspect was struck and pronounced dead at the scene.

The suspect's identity and further background information had not been included in the initial police account.

Investigators will examine the circumstances of the confrontation, including the events before officers approached the individual and the sequence of gunfire.

Was a civilian injured?

Yes. Police confirmed that one bystander was injured and taken to a hospital.

The civilian was among the people receiving medical attention after the shooting.

The person's identity, precise injuries and current condition had not been detailed in the initial reports.

What happened to the wounded Lakewood officers?

All four officers who were shot were transported to hospitals.

One officer died from their injuries. The other three were receiving medical care.

Governor Jared Polis publicly acknowledged the death and expressed support for the wounded officers and the civilian who was injured.

Authorities had not released the names of the officers or a detailed medical update on the three survivors.

What caused the Lakewood police shooting?

According to the police briefing, officers were responding to a report of a suspicious person near West Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard.

They encountered the individual as the person was boarding an RTD bus.

Police said the suspect opened fire when officers approached, prompting officers to return fire.

The initial police account does not establish a complete motive or explain why the individual was considered suspicious. It also does not provide a full description of what happened immediately before the first shots.

Those details remain important parts of the investigation.

Who is investigating the Lakewood shooting?

The Lakewood Police Department is investigating the officer-involved shooting.

The Colorado State Patrol and Colorado Bureau of Investigation were also reported to be assisting authorities.

Investigators are expected to examine evidence from the scene, interview witnesses and reconstruct the sequence of events.

The investigation will need to establish the circumstances of the initial police response, the suspect's actions and the exchange of gunfire that resulted in the deaths and injuries.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Lakewood police officers were killed?

One Lakewood police officer was killed. Three other officers were wounded and taken to hospitals.

How many people were injured in the Lakewood shooting?

Three police officers and one civilian were reported injured. A fourth officer died from their injuries, and the suspect was also killed.

Where did the Lakewood shooting happen?

The shooting occurred near West Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard in Lakewood, Colorado, west of Denver.

Was the shooting on an RTD bus?

Yes. RTD confirmed that the shooting occurred aboard a contracted bus operating on Route 76.

Was the suspect killed?

Yes. Police said officers returned fire after the suspect opened fire. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.

What caused the shooting?

Police said officers were responding to a report of a suspicious person who was boarding an RTD bus. The individual opened fire when officers approached.

Is the Lakewood shooting still under investigation?

Yes. Lakewood police are investigating with assistance from other agencies, including the Colorado State Patrol and Colorado Bureau of Investigation.

What happens next?

Investigators will continue examining the circumstances that led to the shooting, including the initial police call, the suspect's actions and the exchange of gunfire aboard the RTD bus.

Further official updates may provide the identities of the victims, additional information about the suspect and the medical conditions of the surviving officers and injured civilian.

The confirmed death of one Lakewood police officer and injuries to three others make this a major law enforcement incident in Colorado.

This article will be updated as authorities release further verified information.

Sources

Related Articles

Originally published at Flames Nova