The scene at 4503 Fillmore. Denver, Colorado. (July 2, 2009) |
DENVER—
A suspect is dead after confronting Denver Police officers armed with a replica handgun, authorities said.Officers were called to the 4500 block of Fillmore Street around 1:20 a.m. on a report of an assault. When they arrived, they found a male victim who appeared to have been assaulted and tried to contact the suspect in another part of the home, police said.
Police say Hector Esparza, 25, charged at officers holding -what appeared to be- a handgun. Officers fired, striking the victim multiple times. He was transported to Denver Health Medical Center and pronounced dead.
Investigators later determined that Esparza was holding a replica gun and, according to police, had made statements earlier in the evening that he was going to get in a shootout with police.
DPD and the Denver District Attorney's Office are investigating the incident.
