Colorado’s 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office has completed its review of the April 11 officer-involved shooting in downtown Manitou Springs.
That day, the Manitou Springs Police Department received a report from a bartender at the Royal Tavern, 924 Manitou Ave., that an intoxicated person had brandished a firearm at her. The bartender said the man left the bar and walked east on Manitou Avenue.
MSPD Officers Levi Hoover and Jeffrey Schuelke, the initial responding officers, located an older white male who matched the description in the 800 block of Manitou Avenue.
He was later identified as Wilford Robert Deweese, 67, a Florida resident. He refused the officers’ requests to approach to discuss the matter, instead remaining partially concealed. Deweese indicated he had been in the Royal Tavern but continued to refuse the officers’ directions to approach them further to discuss the incident.
Deweese would not keep his hands up, telling the officers that he was recording them with his phone while also moving his hands toward his waistband.
The officers tried to move closer to Deweese, but retreated when he told them to stay away and began reaching into his pocket.
After more than 10 minutes, units from the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office and the Colorado State Patrol arrived to help contain Deweese.
Deputy Daniel LeBaron responded to the Royal Tavern and confirmed the felony menacing incident and that a handgun was involved. Another responding deputy, Ronnie Hancock, displayed his K9 partner, Jinx, to Deweese to demonstrate the necessity of complying with officer commands.
Hancock then took over communication responsibilities and additional commands were issued for Deweese to show his hands and walk toward the officers. The threat to public safety increased as people traveled down Manitou Avenue behind the police containment line and gathered in windows and balcony areas.
For eight additional minutes, Hancock continuously repeated his commands, including multiple warnings that, unless Deweese complied, the K9 would be released. Deweese was speaking via phone with a relative and stated he was planning to shoot the dog.
Finally, with no cooperation from Deweese’s, Hancock deployed Jinx and officers began a simultaneous coordinated movement to approach him. As the K9 ran toward the walkway where Deweese was located, he pulled a handgun from his pocket and fired at Jinx, fatally striking him in the head.
Deweese then fired at officers as they moved down the walkway, and in response, Hoover, Schuelke, Hancock and LeBaron returned fire. Deweese was struck approximately 22 times, incapacitating him.
Deputies and officers immediately began lifesaving efforts on Deweese. Manitou Springs Fire Department personnel also assisted within minutes, but Deweese died.
Crime scene investigation personnel recovered a 9mm pistol near Deweese with its slide locked back, indicating complete expenditure of ammunition. Shell casings were also recovered. A forensic examination of the firearms evidence conclusively identified that Deweese’s pistol fired the shot, killing Jinx.