Larimer County deputies stop man, wanted in South Dakota homicide, during pursuit on I-25

Interstate 25 was closed at the Wellington exit overnight on Saturday as Larimer County deputies pursued a man wanted in South Dakota on suspicion of homicide.

Larimer County sheriff’s deputies performed a maneuver to stop the pickup truck south of Wellington, and the man then shot himself and died, the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office reported in a news release Saturday morning.

The sheriff’s office said it received an interagency report about 2 a.m. Saturday that an armed suspect was driving on I-25 from Wyoming toward Colorado. The man was a suspect in a homicide and domestic violence case in South Dakota, according to the sheriff’s office, and when authorities had tried to contact him, he fled.

Colorado State Patrol and the sheriff’s office tried to set up tire spikes in the Buckeye exit, the news release said, but the suspect shot at law enforcement and continued driving south at high speeds.

After stopping the vehicle, the sheriff’s office said, the man stayed in his vehicle, where he shot himself before law enforcement could contact him.

They said they tried to perform lifesaving measures and a crew from UCHealth EMS continued efforts, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The sheriff’s office said a gun was found in the vehicle and no weapons were fired by law enforcement. No other injuries were reported, and the suspect was the only person in the vehicle.

The interstate was closed for about five hours at the Wellington exit, the sheriff’s office said.

Five agencies were involved in the incident, including three from Wyoming: the Cheyenne Police Department, the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office and Wyoming State Patrol.

The man’s identity hasn’t been released. The investigation is ongoing and includes the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation.

A news release from the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office said the man was a suspect in a Friday night homicide in Custer County, in which a man was shot and killed and a woman was injured.

Anybody with information about the Wyoming/Colorado incident who hasn’t already spoken with law enforcement, may contact Investigator Tyler Thomas at (970) 498-5167.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in court. Arrests and charges are merely accusations by law enforcement until, and unless, a suspect is convicted of a crime.

Help for someone in crisis

If a situation is an emergency, call 911. Below are additional resources for those experiencing domestic violence and other crises.

If you or someone you care about is in a domestic violence situation, call Crossroads Safehouse’s 24/7 helplines, which are staffed by trained advocates: 970-482-3502 or 888-541-7233 (toll free). You can also call Alternatives to Violence at 970-669-5150 or text the organization at 970-669-5157.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 988.

Colorado Crisis Support can be reached at 844-493-8255 or by texting TALK to 38255.

Those concerned about a person’s history of dangerous behavior or threats of violence and their access to firearms can file for an extreme risk protection order — also referred to as a red flag petition — which is a civil process through the court system that would temporarily remove any firearms from the person’s possession.

Family or household members, law enforcement, health care professionals, licensed mental health clinicians, educators and district attorneys can petition for an ERPO. For more information, including how to file for an ERPO, visit cdphe.colorado.gov/colorado-gun-violence-prevention-resource-bank/prevention-approaches/extreme-risk-protection-orders.

To report child abuse call the Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 844-264-5437 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. For more information about the statewide reporting system and other resources, visit co4kids.org.

Larimer County mental health resources:

If you’re looking for other community mental health or substance abuse counseling and support, call Connections provided by the Health District of Northern Colorado at 970-221-5551.