By Shannon Lukens.
A Shelter in Place alert was issued Wednesday morning, Oct. 11, when Routt County Sheriff’s officers were confronted by a man with a gun, in a house on 8th Street, between Oak and Pine. The man was being served with an eviction notice. He also had a felony warrant for his arrest. Law enforcement negotiated with the man for several hours. The Combined Emergency Response Team eventually deployed flash bangs and tear gas inside the home, and the man took his life.
During the incident, Yampa Valley High School was placed on lockdown. Students at Steamboat Mountain School were evacuated to the commons area at Steamboat Springs High School.
Please reach out to REPS, which is Reaching Everyone Preventing Suicide, if struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 in English and Spanish anywhere in the United States.
Press release from the City of Steamboat Springs; Oct. 11, 2023.
Armed Barricaded Incident At 8th Street Residence
Routt County Sheriff’s Office, Steamboat Springs Police & Fire Rescue Respond
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO-October 11, 2023-On Wednesday, October 11, at approximately 8:45 AM, deputies from the Routt County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) were confronted by male armed with a handgun at a residence in the area of 8th Street and Pine while attempting to serve eviction paperwork.
Steamboat Springs Police Officers and RCSO Deputies responded to assist, and it was discovered the male had a felony warrant for his arrest. The Combined Emergency Response Team deployed and assumed the tactical operation. Out of an abundance of caution, the Yampa Valley High School was placed on lockdown and the Steamboat Mountain School was evacuated.
Law enforcement negotiated with the subject for several hours and eventually utilized tactical tools to try and get the subject to surrender. When tactical officers entered the residence, the subject was found deceased in an obvious suicide. The investigation has been completed and the area has been cleared of the heavy police presence.
The Steamboat Springs Police Department thanks residents for their patience and encourages anybody struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts to utilize local partners such as Reaching Everyone Preventing Suicide (REPS) to seek help. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 in English and Spanish from anywhere in the United States.
