Man wanted as suspect in shooting is shot by officer

A Sterling police officer shot a man Tuesday night who brandished a gun at the officer, police said.

The incident happened just after 7, and the man who was shot was taken to Sterling Regional Medical Center and later flown to a Denver- area hospital, police said in a news release.

Police on Wednesday identified the man who was shot as Douglas Sanchez, 54, of Sterling. The release did not give an update on his condition or further details on his injures.

Sanchez was wanted by authorities as a suspect in a Sept. 30 shooting, the release said. In that case, he faces multiple felony charges — attempted firstdegree murder, menacing and possession of a weapon by a previous offender.

At 7: 04 p. m. Tuesday, officers were notified that Sanchez was at the Eagle Convenience store, 930 W.

Main St., police said. Sanchez left the store in a vehicle in which he was a passenger, and the driver was stopped by police in the 400 block of South Sixth Avenue.

Sanchez bolted from the stopped vehicle, running west in an alley, police said.

An officer followed, and Sanchez “stopped, turned and confronted the officer,” according to the release. “Sanchez brandished a weapon and was shot.”

The officer, who was not identified, has been placed on administrative leave, per department policy, pending an investigation by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Police and the Logan County Sheriff’s Office will assist the CBI.

Sanchez will face additional criminal charges in connection to the Tuesday night incident, police said.