One dead after road-rage shooting east of downtown Colorado Springs
Sadie Buggle
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Colorado Springs police have confirmed that one person is dead after a road rage incident overnight led to a fatal shooting just east of downtown Colorado Springs.
The CSPD said that they were called to the area of Platte Avenue and Cedar Street at around 11:45 p.m. on Thursday, June 26, to investigate what was initially reported to be a drive-by shooting.
An early investigation revealed that as three vehicles were driving in the area, there was a “minor disturbance” between two of the drivers, CSPD said.
The three drivers all pulled to the side of the road, where two of them began arguing – but the confrontation soon turned physical, police say.
The driver of one of the vehicles then grabbed a weapon and fired at the person he had fought with; police said that the victim died at the scene.
Officers spoke with the other two drivers on scene and transported them to the police department for further interviews.
The CSPD confirmed that the male shooting suspect has been arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder. His name, as well as the name of the victim, is not being released at this time, police said.
Eastbound Platte was closed off overnight as police investigated the scene; the street reopened shortly before 7 a.m. Friday.
Katie Gallegos lives across the street and said that she was in bed when she heard eight gunshots, followed by screaming.
“I ran outside, heard some screaming, and went down the street a little bit farther, right in front of the house, and saw a man lying on the ground,” she said. “I’ve dealt with some homicides in my family, and I know the feeling that they were going through.”
Gallegos’ door camera recorded some of the incident.
Millie Fick recently moved back to town after being away for a while, and was stunned by the fatal shooting down the street from her home.
“At first, I thought the gunshots were fireworks,” she said. “It doesn’t keep me from wanting to be here, by no means. But it’s sad. It’s so sad.”
Some longtime neighbors said that the shooting was reminiscent of the Halloween 2015 shooting in the same area; Noah Harpham shot and killed a man on a bicycle, then killed two women sitting on a front porch before he himself died during a shootout with police.
This is a developing story and may be updated as we learn more.