A Larimer County Sheriff’s Office deputy who shot and killed a man in Edora Park was found justified in his actions after he was accused of shooting and killing another deputy following a motorcycle chase on Spring Creek Trail in March. The 8th Judicial District Attorney’s Office issued a ruling on April 11, about a month after the shooting, stating that the deputy acted reasonably and shot and killed the suspect in self-defense.
The letter states that no criminal charges have been filed against the suspect, Keith Williams, because he remains hospitalized, but “criminal prosecution remains a possibility.” Around 2 p.m. on March 10, Larimer County Deputy Sheriff Jason Hart, a motorcycle sergeant, spotted a “mini SUV” near East Prospect Road and Riverside Avenue while on his way to the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office. The letter states that under state law, the mini SUV is defined as a “toy vehicle” and “poses an unsafe hazard to other motorists on the road.”
The letter states that Hart attempted to stop Williams, who was riding a scooter, but instead of stopping, he ran a red light on Riverside Boulevard, continued south on Riverside Boulevard without stopping, then turned westbound onto Spring Creek Trail, a paved bike path. The letter states that another officer, Sergeant Samuel Ross, who was riding a motorcycle, saw Hart trying to stop Williams and joined the pursuit to provide cover for him. The two followed Williams into Edora Park. Ross estimated that they reached speeds of 30-40 miles per hour while riding on the bike path.
Williams crossed Spring Creek and drove into the south section of Edora Park when he hit a curb and fell off his bike handlebars. Hart stopped behind Williams, pulled out a stun gun and warned the man to “stop or you’ll get tased,” but the man continued to walk away from Hart, the letter said. Hart also used a stun gun, but it was ineffective.
Ross told CIRT investigators that he then noticed Williams holding something wrapped in cloth. Ross opened the package and found it was a silver long-barreled revolver, so he turned the gun toward Hart. Ross told investigators that he was worried that Williams would seriously injure or even kill Hart, so he pulled out his gun and shot Williams, the letter states.
Hart told investigators he did not see Williams point the gun at him, but he reported that he “felt excessive pressure on the barrel of the gun, then immediately felt a strong impact and burning pain in the right bicep” and knew he had been shot. About half a second later, Hart said he recalled hearing Ross fire off seven to 10 gunshots in quick succession. Williams fell to the ground after being hit by Ross, but was still able to reach the gun. Both officers took cover behind a tree and ordered Williams not to touch the gun, the letter said, but they said Williams continued to move on the ground and approach the gun.
Officers then successfully detained Williams and sent him to UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies for treatment of his injuries. The letter stated that Williams was seriously injured and had multiple injuries to his head, chest and arms. Some of the injuries were caused by gunshot wounds, and other injuries may have been caused by police dogs. As of April 11, Williams was still receiving treatment in the hospital. Investigators said they were closely monitoring his condition.
Hart was taken to UC Health Poudre Valley Hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound to the upper right arm. He spent several days in the hospital and has since been released. According to the letter, multiple people were present throughout Edora Park at the time of the shooting, but no one else was injured. According to the letter, CIRT investigators traced the revolver used by Williams to an out-of-state buyer who has since died. Investigators do not yet know how he obtained the gun.
While Williams remains hospitalized, no criminal charges have been filed against him, but the District Attorney’s Office said “multiple charges are likely,” including attempted murder. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Arrests and charges are merely accusations by law enforcement unless a suspect is convicted.