Suicide by cop? Officer-involved shooting at 4950 Morrison Road leaves one man dead

A Flickr photo

Update below: Did a suicidal man set into motion a chain of events that led police officers to pull the trigger for him? That's the supposition of the Denver Police Department related to an incident yesterday afternoon at 4950 Morrison Road. According to a DPD release, four cops fired at and killed the man in question when he refused to put down his weapon.

Look below to read the department's take, as well as to see an interactive graphic of the area near the scene (if you have problems seeing the image, click "View Larger Map").

On August 1, 2010, at 2:45 pm, the Denver Police Department received a call on a suicidal party at the location of 4950 Morrison Rd.

When officers arrived on scene, they contacted a male who was in possession of a weapon and acting in a suicidal manner. Officers attempted to diffuse the situation, however the male pointed the weapon towards the officers and four officers fired at the male striking him.

The male was transported to Denver Health Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

The mans' identity is not being released at this time pending positive identification and notification of next of kin by the Office of the Medical Examiner.

This matter as in all officer involved shootings will be investigated by the Denver Police Department and the Denver District Attorney's Office. The Independent Monitor Richard Rosenthal is actively monitoring the investigation.

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Update, 11:45 a.m.: The dead man in this incident has been identified. Learn more by reading this post: "Alfred Vigil ID'd as Man Who Died in Alleged Suicide-By-Cop Shooting on Morrison Road."