Man who shot at, injured 2 Thornton officers is identified

THORNTON, Colo. — A man has been identified who shot at Thornton Police officers, injuring two of them, and was later found dead inside a home that police surrounded for several hours.

The Adams and Broomfield counties coroner on Tuesday identified the man as 37-year-old William George Skells.

Officers initially responded to the home in the 16000 block of Columbine Street about 8 a.m. Oct. 9.

“They were called by a citizen who was out walking their dog. They had walked by the house in question and believed that they heard popping sounds – what they believed was gunfire, as well as some light smoke inside,” said Interim Thornton Police Chief Greg Reeves.

Officers arrived and surrounded the home but could not make contact with anyone inside. They spoke with other neighbors who also believed they heard gunfire from inside the home, Reeves said.

About an hour later, around 9:05 a.m., Skills came out of the home and began firing at officers, Reeves said. 

Reeves said on Wednesday morning that two officers were struck by either bullets or shrapnel. 

In an update Wednesday afternoon, Reeves said one of those officers was struck by a bullet. That officer was seriously injured and was released from the hospital Thursday evening. The other officer was hit by glass and shrapnel. That officer was treated and released from the hospital. 

9NEWS reporter Briana Fernandez, who was at the scene, said she heard one of the injured officers say he had been shot in the arm.

Officers returned gunfire, and the man retreated inside the house, Reeves said. He said they believed the man had been hit and was likely wounded.

About 15 or 20 minutes later, additional crews arrived and put up a drone that showed the man inside the home. SWAT officers made their way in and confirmed the man was dead. Reeves said they did not know whether he was killed by officers or whether he took his own life.

Due to the nature of the shooting, Reeves said a medical helicopter was called to the scene as a precaution.

The officers who fired shots have been placed on administrative leave, Reeves said. 

The man has not been identified, but Reeves said he was a resident of the home and that no one else was inside the house with him.

“We are greatly concerned about what happened in this neighborhood,” Reeves said. “Not only for our officers but the residents who called this home. Our community has been shocked by the events that occurred this morning.”

“For this to happen so close, it’s crazy. I don’t know how to describe that,” said Prashanth Mannar, a neighbor.