Following apparent gun battle at Palmer Park in Colorado Springs, officers justified in shooting by DA

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – Officers have been justified for the motion they took following an obvious gun battle with a financial institution theft suspect at a busy Colorado Springs park.

The taking pictures was carried out between the suspect and a number of officers simply after 4 p.m. on Oct. 7, 2021 close to Maizeland Highway and N. Academy Boulevard at Palmer Park. In line with a report by the 4th Judicial District Lawyer’s Workplace, officers have been attempting to make contact with a suspect who was believed to be concerned in two financial institution robberies earlier within the day.

“The suspect automobile started to drive away and Detective Carey, in his unmarked automobile, activated the emergency lights and siren and pulled in entrance of the suspect automobile to forestall it from fleeing,” a part of the report reads. “The only real occupant of the automobile was later recognized to be Mr. Christopher Bayless. Detective Grant Nelson, in his unmarked automobile, approached the suspect automobile from the rear to forestall escape. Different unmarked police autos activated their lights and sirens and commenced to drive into the realm to help within the apprehension. The inexperienced Honda stopped and quickly accelerated in reverse into Detective Nelson’s automobile. Detective Carey noticed Mr. Bayless’s automobile strike Detective Nelson’s automobile so onerous the again finish of the inexperienced Honda lifted off the bottom.”

The report particulars what the District Lawyer’s Workplace believes occurred subsequent, together with motion by the officers that possible saved the suspect’s life.

“Detective Nelson mentioned after Mr. Bayless struck his automobile, he stepped out and moved away to forestall a possible crossfire scenario with Detective Carey. As Detective Nelson was shifting away from his automobile, he noticed Mr. Bayless holding a black handgun taking pictures within the path of Detective Carey,” the report provides. “Detective Nelson mentioned he started firing at Mr. Bayless. Detective Nelson mentioned Mr. Bayless then pointed the gun at him and commenced to fireplace at him. Detective Nelson ultimately made his approach over to Detective Carey’s place. As this alternate of gunfire between detectives and Mr. Bayless was occurring, Detective Exley and Sergeant McLain approached on foot from behind Detective Nelson’s automobile. Detective Exley and Sgt. McLain noticed Mr. Bayless firing his handgun on the different detectives, at which period they each returned fireplace. Mr. Bayless finally stopped firing. Detectives then approached his automobile and eliminated him from the driving force’s seat. Detectives noticed that Mr. Bayless was injured and commenced offering medical help. Further patrol officers arrived and continued with rendering help to Mr. Bayless. Officers famous that Mr. Bayless had important trauma to his neck and a laceration to his wrist. Each accidents have been self-inflicted. As officers have been offering help to Mr. Bayless, he was actively digging his thumb into the damage on his wrist. Mr. Bayless was transported to a neighborhood hospital for additional medical remedy. The treating doctor indicated that the damage to Mr. Bayless’ neck appeared in keeping with that of a pointy slicing instrument. Mr. Bayless sustained gunshot wounds to his left leg, left arm, and stomach.”

In line with the report, about 50 pictures have been fired by detectives who have been concerned. An obvious theft word was recovered within the suspect’s automotive together with a handgun and an empty journal. About 9 shell casings have been recovered from contained in the suspect’s automobile. No officers have been injured and the suspect survived.

The DA’s report states officers have been justified of their actions. You’ll be able to learn the complete report on the backside of this text. Bayless is scheduled to be in courtroom on Could 31 for an arraignment, he was initially charged with two counts of tried first-degree homicide and 5 counts of tried first-degree assault.

The report provides there isn’t any body-worn digicam footage of the incident as a result of the taking pictures concerned undercover detectives.

The officers concerned within the taking pictures embody:

-Sgt. McLain has been employed with the Colorado Springs Police Division since March of 2011.

-Officer Carey has been employed with the Colorado Springs Police Division since March of 2011.

-Officer Exley has been employed with the Colorado Springs Police Division since August of 2013.

-Officer Nelson has been employed with the Colorado Springs Police Division since April of 2014.

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