WESTMINSTER, CO – A deputy was assaulted while serving an eviction notice, sparking a prolonged standoff that culminated in another officer’s injury during the apprehension of the suspect. The individual in question was detained on Friday and subsequently hospitalized due to self-inflicted wounds, as reported by the Westminster Police Department.
The deputy, who was subjected to surgery following the incident, is anticipated to make a full recovery. The officer injured during the arrest, who was not harmed by the suspect directly, is also expected to be fine. The standoff took place at West 121st Avenue and Zuni Street, where the suspect had barricaded herself after allegedly assaulting the deputy.
According to Westminster Police, the incident began when the Adams County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the Brodie Apartments to serve an eviction notice. An adult female resident attacked an Adams County Sheriff’s Office deputy, causing non-life-threatening injuries. The deputy was then rushed to a local hospital for treatment.
Senior Police Officer Ray Esslinger of Westminster stated that the weapon used in the assault was some type of knife, although further details were not immediately available. A local resident reported seeing eviction notices on the suspect’s door for several weeks but never anticipated such a violent outcome.
In response to the incident, local schools were put on lockdown, with parents being informed about the situation and the subsequent release of their children. A Lookout Alert was also issued to warn residents of the apartment building about the ongoing situation. The apartment management company is making arrangements for alternative accommodations for residents if needed.
Esslinger also mentioned the possibility of the suspect possessing bomb-making materials in her apartment, prompting a response from the bomb squad. No further updates were available on this matter as of Friday evening. The suspect is likely to face charges of assaulting a police officer at the very least.