Two Pueblo police officers were wounded and a 36-year-old home-invasion suspect was killed in an exchange of gunfire at a Pueblo apartment complex late Saturday night, after what began as a reported home invasion on Gaylord Avenue turned into a vehicle pursuit and a deadly confrontation at an upstairs apartment door. The Pueblo police officer-involved shooting is now under investigation by an independent critical incident team, and both wounded officers have been released and are recovering.
TL;DR: On Saturday, October 10, around 11:09 p.m., Pueblo police responded to a home-invasion report in the 1600 block of Gaylord Avenue. The suspect, 36-year-old Luis Antonio Morales, fled in a Dodge Ram, led officers on a pursuit, abandoned the truck on Regency Boulevard, and entered an apartment complex. When officers knocked and announced themselves at an upstairs apartment, Morales opened the door and gunfire broke out. Morales was killed; Officer Justin Ortiz suffered a graze wound to the ankle and Officer Jonathon Woehler suffered gunshot wounds to both legs. Both officers were released and are recovering.
From a Home Invasion to a Pursuit
The incident began around 11:09 p.m. on Saturday when police responded to a report of a home invasion in the 1600 block of Gaylord Avenue. According to officers, they were then advised that the suspect had fled the area in a Dodge Ram. Officers spotted the vehicle near Jones Avenue and Brimmer Avenue and started a pursuit.
The driver abandoned the truck on Regency Boulevard and ran on foot into an apartment complex, police said. Officers followed him to an upstairs apartment and began knocking on the door while identifying themselves as law enforcement. According to the Pueblo Chieftain, when the suspect opened the door, an exchange of gunfire occurred between the suspect and the officers. Medical personnel treated the suspect at the scene, where he was pronounced dead. No members of the public were injured.
The Suspect and the Wounded Officers
The Pueblo County Coroner’s Office identified the man killed as 36-year-old Luis Antonio Morales. Police have not said what Morales’s connection, if any, was to the upstairs apartment where the confrontation took place, or what role he played in the reported home invasion that set the night in motion.
Officer Justin Ortiz sustained a graze wound to the ankle and did not require hospitalization. Officer Jonathon Woehler suffered gunshot wounds to both legs and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. According to the Pueblo Police Department, both officers were released — Woehler on October 12 — and are still recovering. The department thanked UCHealth Parkview Medical Center, American Medical Response, and the Pueblo Fire Department for the medical care provided to the injured officers.
Police Chief Chris Noeller expressed the department’s gratitude to the community for the overwhelming support, prayers, and well-wishes extended to the injured officers, their families, and the department, calling it a reminder of the strong relationship between the department and the community it serves.
Independent Investigation Underway
In accordance with department policy, the officers and dispatchers involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave. The 10th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team has been activated and is conducting the investigation into the shooting. The department said no further details regarding the shooting will be released at this time while the independent review proceeds.
Officer-involved shooting investigations in Colorado follow this standard pattern: the involved agency’s personnel step aside, and an outside team reconstructs the sequence of events — the initial call, the pursuit, the decision to approach the apartment, and the moment gunfire broke out. The findings will eventually determine whether the officers’ actions were justified under the law.
For the families of both the fallen suspect and the recovering officers, the wait for answers continues. The department has asked the public to let the investigation run its course.
FAQ
Who was killed in the Pueblo officer-involved shooting?
The Pueblo County Coroner’s Office identified the man killed as 36-year-old Luis Antonio Morales. He was pronounced dead at the scene after an exchange of gunfire with police officers.
Which officers were injured in the Pueblo shooting?
Officer Justin Ortiz sustained a graze wound to the ankle and did not require hospitalization. Officer Jonathon Woehler suffered gunshot wounds to both legs, was hospitalized, and was released on October 12. Both are recovering.
What started the Pueblo police incident?
The incident began around 11:09 p.m. on Saturday, October 10, when police responded to a report of a home invasion in the 1600 block of Gaylord Avenue. Officers were then advised the suspect had fled in a Dodge Ram.
How did the confrontation end?
After a pursuit, the suspect abandoned his truck on Regency Boulevard and entered an apartment complex. Officers tracked him to an upstairs apartment, knocked, and announced themselves as police. When the suspect opened the door, gunfire broke out between the suspect and the officers.
Who is investigating the shooting?
The 10th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team was activated to investigate, which is standard procedure for officer-involved shootings in the region. The involved officers and dispatchers were placed on administrative leave per department policy.
Was anyone else hurt?
No. Police confirmed that no members of the public were injured during the incident.
Will more details be released?
The Pueblo Police Department said no further details regarding the shooting will be released at this time while the Critical Incident Response Team’s investigation is ongoing.
