Courtesy Arvada Police
Officer Gordon Beesley, a 19-year Arvada Police veteran, was killed along with a second victim and the suspected shooter in Arvada on Monday, June
Updated 6:40 p.m.
Strate said during a press conference Tuesday afternoon that the investigation into the shooting was underway and did not provide more details about what led up to the incident.
Beesley’s death was a loss to the community and police department, Strate said.
“Officer Beesley was ambushed by a person who expressed hatred of police officers,” Strate said.
Beesley was a 19-year-veteran of the Arvada Police Department and worked as a school resources officer at Oberon Middle School.
Updated Police chief: Slain Colorado officer was ambushed
DENVER (AP) A police officer who was one of three people killed in a shooting at a suburban Denver shopping district was ambushed by a suspect who expressed hatred toward police, authorities said Tuesday.
Arvada Police Officer Gordon Beesley “was targeted because he was wearing an Arvada police uniform and a badge,” police Chief Link Strate said at a news conference. “Officer Beasley was ambushed by someone who expressed hatred of police officers.”
Strate called it a “deliberate act of violence” and an ”isolated incident.” But he did not provide details about the suspect, who also died in the shootout Monday; how authorities knew that the suspect had deliberately attacked Beesley; and how they knew about the suspect’s views toward police.
Police Chief: Slain Colorado officer was ambushed - World News castanet.net - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from castanet.net Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Denver-area police on Tuesday said that an officer who was killed in a shooting near a local library the previous day was “ambushed” and “targeted” because he was a police officer.
Arvada Police Chief Link Strate said in a press conference that Officer Gordon Beasley, who served with the police department for 19 years as a patrol, motorcycle traffic and school resource officer, was “targeted because he was wearing an Arvada Police uniform and a badge.”
“Officer Beasley was ambushed by a person who expressed hatred of police officers,” Strate said of the suspect, who was also killed Monday.
ADVERTISEMENT
Strate, who did not identify the suspect, said the alleged gunman’s name would be released later by the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office. A third person, described as a Samaritan, was also killed in the shooting.
Arvada grieves death of Officer Gordon Beesley thedenverchannel.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thedenverchannel.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.