A Thornton police officer is recovering after being shot Sunday night near East 128th Avenue and Ulster Street. According to police, officers responded around 9:30 p.m. on October 11 to a report of an unwanted person. While they were speaking with the person who called, a suspect fired multiple rounds at officers.
One officer was struck and taken to a hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. A second officer returned fire, but investigators have not confirmed whether the suspect was hit. The suspect fled, prompting a search and a shelter-in-place alert for nearby residents.
As of Monday morning, October 12, police were still searching for Luis Arebalo, 37. Authorities describe him as approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall and 180 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a black short-sleeved shirt and dark-colored pants. The shelter-in-place order has since been lifted, but police say Arebalo should be considered armed and dangerous.
Police urge anyone who sees Arebalo or knows his immediate whereabouts to call 911 and avoid approaching or contacting him. Other information that could help investigators can be shared with the Thornton Police Tip Line at 720-977-5069. Our thoughts are with the injured officer, their family, and the Thornton Police Department as the officer recovers.
