GRAND JUNCTION, CO — A suspect is dead and two others are hospitalized following a stabbing, an officer-involved shooting, and a multi-vehicle crash Friday evening that originated at a North Avenue Dairy Queen.
On Friday, June 19, at approximately 6:30 p.m., Grand Junction Police Department officers responded to multiple 911 calls reporting an erratic male suspect armed with a knife inside the Dairy Queen located at 709 North Avenue.
Upon arrival, two officers confronted the adult male suspect, who was located inside a vehicle in the restaurant’s parking lot. During the encounter, an officer-involved shooting occurred. The suspect fled the scene in the vehicle, crashing into another car as he exited the parking lot.
The suspect’s vehicle continued westbound and eventually came to a stop after striking multiple vehicles west of the intersection of North 1st Street and North Avenue.
Following the sequence of events, emergency medical personnel transported three individuals to local hospitals:
The Suspect: Transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased. The Mesa County Coroner will determine the cause and manner of death and release the suspect’s identity.
Stabbing Victim: One individual sustained injuries consistent with a knife assault and was transported with serious bodily injuries.
Crash Victim: One individual injured in the motor vehicle collisions was transported with unknown injuries.
Grand Junction Police Chief Matt Smith has requested the activation of the 21st Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT). Because GJPD personnel were involved, the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office is leading the independent investigation on behalf of CIRT.
Per standard agency policy, the involved officers have been placed on administrative leave. The Grand Junction Police Department will release the names of the officers at a later time.
Authorities note that the investigation is active and ongoing. Investigators are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who has video footage to contact Investigator Kandyce Stuckenschneider at (970) 244-3266 or by email at Kandyce.Stuck@mesacounty.us.
This article is related to a previous incident: Stabbing, North Ave & N 7th St (More images + audio)
