A Colorado state trooper was shot and wounded in a senseless, “targeted” attack while parked on the side of a highway Saturday and still managed to kill the suspect in a shootout, authorities said.
Cpl. Tye Simcox encountered “evil” when the gunman randomly opened fire on the 16-year-old state law enforcement vet as he drove slowly past the officer’s patrol car parked in the median of Highway 36 in the Denver suburb of Westminster.
The gunman continued his brazen shooting spree with a semi-automatic handgun after he pulled his Chevrolet pickup on the left side of the highway and got out of his car, State Patrol Chief Matthew Packard, said during a press conference.
“Our trooper exited his patrol car and immediately began returning fire … and was able to engage and ultimately kill the suspect who attacked him,” Packard said, noting that Simcox used his rifle during the shooting.
Simcox was hit in the lower right arm and applied a tourniquet to the gunshot wound before being taken to the hospital. He was released later on Saturday.
“Our member was targeted today by a man who intended to kill him and it is shocking and unacceptable,” Packard said.
“But our Colorado state trooper responded appropriately and quickly and bravely and he won today. And by winning, he not only saved his own life, but he saved the rest of this community from someone who clearly intended to do harm.”
The suspect’s identity has not yet been released by authorities.
Packard emphatically praised his soldier.
“He looked the face of evil and responded appropriately and won,” he said.