PUEBLO WEST, Colorado (KRDO) – The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office says two of its deputies are recovering after a standoff on Friday afternoon in Pueblo West. The suspect is in custody.
Authorities say police officers tried to contact the suspect on Friday morning on block 1000 of Tenderfoot Lane. The suspect, who was previously known to the police, was making threats against Tennessee State Patrol and the Tennessee capitol building.
The sheriff’s office says Tennessee officials asked Pueblo law enforcement officers to verify the suspect. After no response on the first attempt, a sergeant and a deputy left for the second time around 3:20 pm to contact the individual.
When they arrived, MPs said they were immediately attacked and suffered some injuries. One of the deputies was shot in the head and the other in the left shoulder. Both deputies are expected to make a full recovery.
The sheriff’s office said deputies are Mr Berumen, 30, and the sergeant, 40. Rude.
The SWAT unit was called because employees were not sure if there were more people in the house. The officers fired a non-lethal weapon shot and managed to neutralize the suspect, taking him into custody without injury.
A PCSO spokesman said the suspect was never known to have acted violently against deputies. The suspect has a history of mental illness and alcohol may have contributed to this violent encounter, according to the sheriff’s office.
Police say the suspect, Eddie Lovins, is a veteran and is believed to have knowledge of explosives. The Pueblo Metro Bomb Squad is guaranteeing the parameter and obtaining a warrant to search the house. MPs will first use a robot to inspect the interior of the house for explosives.
Nearby residents were told to take shelter while the bomb squad investigates the suspect’s claims that his home is “connected”.