Colorado Springs Police Investigating Officer-Involved Shooting on North Academy; Shelter-in-Place Lifted After Intense Search for Armed Suspect
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — A tense and dangerous situation unfolded Sunday afternoon on the 4900 block of North Academy Boulevard, where a disturbance call quickly escalated into an officer-involved shooting, prompting a shelter-in-place order and a manhunt for a still-at-large suspect considered armed and dangerous.
The incident, which occurred around 12:25 p.m., began with a call to the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) reporting a disturbance involving a group of individuals near a vacant Red Lobster restaurant at Academy and Flintridge.
According to CSPD, when the responding officer arrived at the scene, they immediately heard gunfire. As the officer exited the patrol car, someone in the direction of the suspect reportedly fired shots at the officer, prompting the officer to return fire.
During the chaos, a woman was shot and transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. Police told 11 News that the woman was most likely shot by the suspect, not by police. Her current condition remains critical, and authorities have not released her identity.
Suspect on the Run
After the shooting, the suspect fled the scene, triggering a full-scale manhunt in the area and leading CSPD to issue a shelter-in-place order. Residents in the affected zone were urged to lock their doors, stay away from windows, and avoid the area entirely. That advisory remained in effect until approximately 4:45 p.m., when authorities determined the immediate danger had passed.
Police are now urgently searching for the suspect, described as:
- A Black male,
- Approximately 6 feet tall,
- In his 30s,
- Wearing dark pants (possibly jeans),
- A black and white hoodie,
- Carrying a backpack and wearing a black hat.
The suspect remains at large, and CSPD has labeled him armed and dangerous. Residents are being asked to remain alert and to call 911 immediately if they see anyone matching the description.
Ongoing Investigation
This is the fourth officer-involved shooting involving CSPD in 2025 so far. As per department policy, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office has taken over the investigation to ensure transparency and impartiality. CSPD has not yet released any body cam footage or further details about the officer’s actions, pending the outcome of the external investigation.
The shooting took place in a busy commercial corridor near multiple businesses and residential complexes, raising concerns about public safety and the rapid escalation of gun violence in otherwise populated areas. Law enforcement worked swiftly to cordon off the area and protect bystanders, but the presence of an armed suspect on the run continues to unsettle the local community.
Community Response and Police Statement
In a statement posted on social media, CSPD thanked the public for their cooperation during the shelter-in-place and urged anyone with information to come forward:
“This is a developing investigation. We appreciate the community’s patience and support as we work to determine what happened and to locate the individual responsible.”
While no other injuries were reported during the incident, neighbors and business owners in the area say the event has left them shaken.
“We heard the sirens and saw officers rushing in from all directions,” said one nearby resident. “Then came the helicopters and the lockdown alerts. It was terrifying, especially with the idea that someone was out there with a gun.”
Authorities are expected to provide further updates as more details become available and the investigation progresses.
If you have any information regarding this incident or the whereabouts of the suspect, please contact the Colorado Springs Police Department or call 911 immediately. Do not approach the suspect.
Stay tuned to local news outlets and the official @CSPDPIO Twitter account for real-time updates.