Gunman fired 100 rounds killing US deputy, injuring six others in Colorado shooting

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A man fired more than 100 rounds at sheriff’s deputies in Colorado, killing one and injuring four others and two civilians, before being fatally shot himself in what authorities called an ambush.

Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock said deputies came under fire almost immediately after entering a suburban Denver apartment and trying to talk with the suspect, who was holed up inside a bedroom.

“I do know that all of them were shot very, very quickly. They all went down almost within seconds of each other, so it was more of an ambush-type of attack on our officers,” Sheriff Spurlock said.

“He knew we were coming and we obviously let him know that we were there.”

The wounded deputies tried to pull the fallen officer, identified as Zackari Parrish, out of the line of further gunfire but were unable to because of their own injuries and only managed to “crawl to safety,” Sheriff Spurlock said.

The deputies responded to a call of shots fired at the Copper Canyon Apartment Homes in Douglas County, about 28 kilometres south of Denver, around 5.15am local time.

Authorities had left the home about four hours earlier to address a noise complaint but returned in response to reports of a disturbance.

There were two men inside the home when deputies arrived and someone let them inside, Sheriff Spurlock said.

The suspect was well-known to authorities in the Denver area but had no criminal record, Sheriff Spurlock said, who declined to name him until his identity was confirmed.

Deputy Parrish was 29 and a married father of two young children.

He came to the department seven months ago after working as an officer for the nearby Castle Rock Police Department. Sheriff Spurlock called him a “good kid” who was eager to work.

Governor John Hickenlooper ordered flags on all public buildings immediately lowered to half-staff until Tuesday evening in Deputy Parrish’s honour.

The three deputies and one police officer injured were listed in stable condition, while the two civilian injuries were not life-threatening.

President Donald Trump expressed sorrow, writing on Twitter, “My deepest condolences to the victims of the terrible shooting in Douglas County (at)dcsheriff, and their families. We love our police and law enforcement – God Bless them all!”