Pitkin County Deputies were able to peacefully resolve a dangerous situation that unfolded yesterday near Independence Pass when an armed man took at least one person hostage and fired shots at the officers.
The Colorado Springs man, whose identity has not been released, was armed with two handguns and had used his truck to block Lincoln Creek Road, near the intersection with Highway 82. When another car reached the spot where the man had parked, he pointed a gun at the car and held at least one person in the vehicle hostage until authorities arrived at the scene.
When deputies tried to talk the man down, he threatened to kill people and even fired shots in the direction of the officers. After about 40 minutes, the deputies were able to arrest the man without any injuries occuring. Authorities have not yet released any information about a possible motive for the man’s actions.
Officers with the Aspen Police Department, the Garfield County SWAT Team, Basalt Police, Snowmass Village Police, the Colorado State Patrol and the U.S. Forest Service all responded to the incident.
