16th Street Mall Police Shooting: Alleged Bank Robber In Hospital

DENVER, CO -- Denver Police Chief Robert White told reporters Friday a police involved shooting near Denver's popular 16th Street Mall involved a man who allegedly robbed a nearby bank. White said a witness saw the man exiting the ANB Bank around 1 p.m. at 16th and Welton Streets pointed him out to a beat patrolman, who followed the alleged robbery into an alley and ordered him to stop, but then shot him.

"The individual is in critical condition," White said. "A gun was recovered from the scene, as was evidence from the bank robbery," White said. The Denver Police announced on Twitter around 1:17 p.m. that the wounded person was brought to a hospital. The officer will be placed on administrative leave pending the investigation, White said.

Visitors to the mall, which is a central tourist spot in Denver, began to post photos on social media showing police vehicles parked on the mall. On Wednesday, there was a double shooting on the mall, near the Renaissance Hotel. Police arrested Steven Wiley, 20, who was charged with first degree murder in the death of Nathanel Simpson, 30. Another victim was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

White said the 16th Street Mall is very popular "and also very safe." Around 20 officers patrol the mall, as well as private security officers hired by the area merchants' association, White said.

RTD said the shuttle's service and other public transportation in the mall area was suspended due to police activity.