TWO OFFICERS SHOT IN LAKEWOOD
Lakewood investigates incident inwhich the suspect also was wounded
Lakewood police continued Sunday to investigate the shooting of two officers as the two, and the man accused of shooting them, recovered from their wounds.
Police haven’t identified the officers, a man and a woman, nor the suspect, who also was wounded in the exchange of gunfire just before 10 p.m. Saturday.
Awoman, whowas not home at the time, called Lakewood police asking for a welfare check on her husband in the 9700 block of West Jewell Place. She told police that he had “indicated to her that he was despondent,” Steve Davis, a police spokesman, said.
When officers arrived, aman came out of the house and started shooting. Police returned fire and hit the man, whom police believe is in his 50s.
“They were met almost immediately with gun fire from the suspect who had exited the residence and confronted them outside,” according to a police statement.
The officers and suspect were taken to St. Anthony’s Hospital in Lakewood. Police will identify the suspect after he is released and formally arrested.
A relative of the suspect spoke to 7News and identified him as Gordon Lee Moench Jr. Investigators, however, would not confirm that name for The Denver Post on Sunday night. Detectives are searching the suspect’s home for evidence thatwould establish a motive for the shooting.
The female officer, a two-year veteran of the department, was able to call for help after she was shot.
One round fired by the suspect hit the male officer, an eight-year veteran, in a bul- letproof vest he was wearing.
The vests that the officers wore “played a crucial role” in their injuries not being worse, Davis said. “We’re very grateful our officers weren’t further hurt.”
Members of the Jefferson County Critical Incident Response Team, commonly referred to as a “shoot team,” are conducting a separate investigation.
The team is made up of officials from law enforcement agencies in Jefferson County and will provide its findings to the district attorney.
The setup assures “departments are not investigating their own officer-involved shootings,” Davis said.