Monday, Nov 20, 2006
On the morning of November 13th, Andrew Young, 28, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, was shot several times by local law enforcement officers after an eight mile pursuit that culminated in a serious motor vehicle accident and armed confrontation in the park. A park ranger and a BLM ranger were involved in the pursuit, but did not fire their weapons. No law enforcement personnel or visitors were injured in the incident, and Young was subsequently treated and released from a local hospital. The incident began just after 6 a.m. when Grand Junction PD officers stopped Young for a license plate violation. Young sped off in his Honda Accord after a police officer spotted a .380 handgun in his lap that was pointed at another officer. The officers chose not to pursue, but instead broadcast Young’s vehicle description. About an hour later, Grand Junction dispatch received the first of several calls from residents in Glade Park reporting that a man was demanding a vehicle to continue his flight from the officers. One of the callers said that Young had fired a handgun outside of his home, yelling that he only wanted the keys to the man’s truck. Officers from the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, Grand Junction PD and BLM headed into the park to gain access to the road into Glade Park. A few minutes later, the sheriff’s office asked park rangers to assist and the ranger on duty joined the response. At 8 a.m. the ranger heard over the radio that a high speed pursuit was coming his way. He immediately warned a half-dozen road construction workers in the area to clear the road and seek cover inside their vehicles. Young’s vehicle soon appeared, traveling at high speed towards him and the construction vehicles. The ranger sought cover behind a dump truck and drew his handgun. Young then turned east onto Rim Rock Drive, with five or six county deputies and a BLM ranger in pursuit. The NPS ranger joined them. Young traveled about eight miles across Rim Rock Drive at speeds ranging from 40 to 60 mph (the road is currently being repaved and has a posted speed limit of 25 mph), then turned south onto Glade Park Road and hit three unmarked detective vehicles employed as a road block at about 60 mph. The Honda ended up on the roads’ southbound shoulder. Rangers and offices converged on the scene within minutes. About ten officers approached the Honda, taking cover behind the wrecked detective vehicles and a civilian pickup truck across the road. Young remained in his Honda, refusing to comply with officer commands. The NPS ranger stayed behind the parked pursuit vehicles, directing upcoming traffic and assisting a witness. When officers saw Young pointing his handgun at them, they returned fire. The five Mesa County SO and three Grand Junction PD officers fired about 70 rounds at Young with their handguns and a .223 rifle. Young was hit in both hands and a shoulder. After the firing stopped, Young continued to ignore officer’s orders and started yelling obscenities at them. Four SWAT members subsequently arrived on scene, approached Young, and placed him under arrest. He was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction. Young is known to be a regular methamphetamine user and has an extensive criminal history. He is currently being held at the Mesa County Detention Center. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation is leading the investigation. No federal charges have been filed at this time.
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