Colorado Springs Deputy Shooting: Suspect IDed

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO -- Colorado Springs police identified the suspect in an alleged auto theft who was killed in a gun battle Monday that also killed an El Paso deputy and wounded three other law enforcement agents and a civilian. Named as the suspect, was Manuel Zetina, 19, of Colorado Springs.

On Monday, as part of an auto theft investigation, a team of detectives located a car previously reported stolen in Colorado Springs, the department said in a statement. The B.A.T.T.L.E. (Beat Auto Theft Through Law Enforcement) task force is made up of officers from Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD), El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO), and the Colorado State Patrol (CSP).

When the car was spotted in the 4200 block of Galley Road, officers saw Zetina exit the vehicle, a statement from the CSPD said. Officers decided to approach Zetina as he walked through an apartment complex parking lot.

According to police, a struggle ensued at 3:55 p.m. when detectives tried to take Zetina into custody. Zetina allegedly drew a semi-automatic handgun and fired at the officers. Three officers returned fire, a statement from CSPD said. EPSO Detective Micah Lee Flick was fatally shot, while two additional EPSO detectives and one CSPD detective were wounded by gunfire. An adult male civilian walking in the area was also shot and wounded as a result of gunfire. He is undergoing treatment at an area hospital.

All of the detectives were wearing plain clothes, but with placards front-and-back saying they were police, Sheriff Bill Elder said earlier. All of the officers were wearing body armor, Elder said.

CSPD identified the injured officer as 7-year veteran of the CSPD, Marcus Yanez. Detective Yanez was treated and released from a local hospital.

EPSO Detective Deputy Scott Stone, a five-year patrol veteran was wounded by gunfire and was listed in stable condition at Memorial Hospital, Sheriff Bill Elder said earlier.

Detective Sgt. Jake Abendschan was injured, possibly by shrapnel and released from the hospital Monday night.

The suspect, Zetina, was shot and killed in the incident. A semi-automatic handgun was recovered from the scene. The El Paso Co. Coroner identified Zetina Tuesday, the CSPD statement said.

The CSPD Deadly Force Investigation Team (DFIT) will be the lead agency conducting this investigation, CSPD said.

The detectives involved have been placed on routine administrative leave in accordance with agency policy.

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