A shooting left one person critically injured Tuesday in Durango.
The shooting was reported shortly after 9:45 a.m. at KP Pawn & Sales, at 495 East College Drive, a few blocks from downtown Durango.
Police have not identified the shooter or the victim. They said there was no active threat to the public.
Moments before the shooting, someone reported a “menacing incident” at the pawn shop, according to a news release posted on the Durango Police Department Facebook page. Police responded within 30 seconds, and multiple shots were fired as they arrived, according to the release.
The Durango Police Department declined to answer questions after the shooting, saying the case remained under investigation.
No law enforcement firearms were discharged, according to release.
The person shot was taken to the hospital with at least one gunshot wound.
East College Drive was closed from East Fourth Avenue to East Sixth Avenue.
Harley Pennington, who works across the street at America’s Auto & Tire, said he was working on a car when he looked out the shop window and saw several police officers pull up to the business.
He said he saw one officer walking along the side of the pawn shop building, then heard four gunshots.
“I saw two units roll up, a Tahoe and an F-150 – the one that’s parked here,” Pennington said. “(The officer) got out and walked up close to the wall. ”... He didn’t even enter the front door. Four shots rang out. Then (the officer) rushed in.
“I went back further into the shop when I heard all that,” Pennington said. “I’m not about to get shot working on someone’s transmission.”
He suspected someone may have tried to rob the pawn shop, but he wasn’t sure whether the suspected robber or an employee fired the shots.
Police declined to say whether the shots were fired by an employee or someone else.
Tajida Person, a construction worker in the area, said police told him not to speak with the media.
“I was surprised to see something like this happen in Durango,” he said.
The Fort Lewis College Police Department, La Plata County Sheriff’s Office and Colorado Bureau of Investigations also responded.
“We extend our sincere thanks to all of the agencies listed above who reached out offering their assistance and to those who responded on scene,” the release said.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call dispatch at 385-2900, the Durango Police investigation line at 375-4730 or email durangopolicepio@durangoco.gov.
