Developing story. Last checked November 6, 2026, 12:11 AM ET. Names had not been publicly released in the reports checked.
Quick answer
On the evening of Thursday, November 5, 2026, four Lakewood Police Department agents were shot on an RTD bus near West Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard in Lakewood, Colorado. One officer was killed. The suspect was shot and killed, and one civilian was injured. Officers were responding to a report of a suspicious person on the bus. Officials told 9NEWS the suspect opened fire right away (Denver Gazette; Denver7). As of this update, police have not publicly released the names of the officer who died, the wounded officers, the suspect, or the injured civilian.
What happened
According to the Lakewood Police Department and local reporting:
- Call: Officers were investigating a report of a suspicious person on a Regional Transportation District (RTD) bus at West Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard (Denver Gazette).
- Shooting: Officials told 9NEWS' Kyle Clark that the suspect "immediately opened fire" (Denver Gazette).
- Casualties: A Lakewood Police spokesperson confirmed that one officer was shot and killed and three others were injured. The suspect was killed, and one civilian was injured (Denver7; KKTV).
- Timing: Lakewood PD first posted on social media just after 7 p.m. Mountain time (about 9 p.m. ET), asking people to avoid the area (Denver Gazette).
Police have not released a full minute-by-minute account. Sky9 video showed a car crashed into the back of an RTD bus on Wadsworth Boulevard (9NEWS). A witness told CBS Colorado he saw a car rear-end the bus and then heard about 13 shots (CBS Colorado). That is one eyewitness account, and police have not confirmed it.
Where: Lakewood, not Denver
The shooting happened in Lakewood, a separate city in Jefferson County west of Denver. It was along West Colfax Avenue at Wadsworth Boulevard, west of Sloan Lake (Denver7). Some of the wounded were taken to Denver Health in downtown Denver.
The RTD bus
RTD said in a statement that the shooting happened "aboard an RTD-contracted operated bus servicing Route 76 in Lakewood." The agency said its personnel "responded to the incident immediately and are fully cooperating with the Lakewood Police Department," and that RTD service wasn't affected (9NEWS; Denver7). An RTD spokesperson told 9NEWS that a second bus picked up the passengers from the bus involved.
Hospitals and the procession
St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood received one patient from the scene with non-life-threatening injuries. The hospital didn't say whether that patient was an officer. Denver Health received multiple patients, and the hospital didn't say how badly they were hurt (9NEWS; CBS Colorado). Law enforcement vehicles from across the metro area formed a procession along Speer Boulevard outside Denver Health, which is common after a line-of-duty death. Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas was seen at the hospital (Denver7).
Who was involved? Names not yet released
Lakewood PD calls its officers "agents." So far, officials have released:
- The officer who died: a Lakewood police agent. Name not yet released.
- The three wounded officers: Lakewood police agents. Names and conditions not yet released.
- The suspect: shot and killed at the scene. Not identified by police. No motive has been released.
- The injured civilian: Not identified. It isn't clear whether this person was a bus passenger.
Real names vs. nicknames: No names, aliases, or nicknames have been officially reported for anyone involved. Any name circulating on social media isn't confirmed. RealNameOf will update this post only when Lakewood PD, the Jefferson County Coroner, or a reputable newsroom publishes names.
A correction to the early viral post
An early breaking post on X from Mario Nawfal said three officers were shot "outside Denver." CBS Colorado and Denver7 also first reported "at least three" officers shot (KOAA/Denver7; CBS Colorado). Later reporting confirmed by Lakewood PD said four officers were shot, one fatally, and that the shooting was in Lakewood.
What officials have said
Lakewood Police said the investigation is ongoing and that "additional details would be released as they become available" (CBS Colorado). As of this update, no press conference transcript or chief's statement naming those involved had been published.
What is still unknown
- The names of the officer who died, the wounded officers, the suspect, and the civilian
- The conditions of the three wounded officers
- What led up to the shooting, how many shots were fired, and who fired them
- Whether the car crash at the back of the bus was connected
- The suspect's motive and background
- Which agency will lead the independent review of the officers' use of force. In Colorado, officer-involved shootings are typically reviewed by a multi-agency critical incident team and the district attorney.
FAQ
Where was the Lakewood RTD bus shooting? Near West Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard in Lakewood, Colorado, on an RTD Route 76 bus.
When did it happen? Thursday evening, November 5, 2026. Police first posted about it just after 9 p.m. ET (7 p.m. Mountain time).
How many officers were shot? Four Lakewood police agents. One was killed and three were injured, according to Lakewood PD via Denver7.
Has the officer who was killed been named? Not as of this update.
Has the suspect been identified? No. Police say the suspect was shot and killed but haven't released a name or motive.
Was anyone else hurt? Yes. One civilian was injured. St. Anthony Hospital reported one patient with non-life-threatening injuries.
Was it in Denver? No. It was in Lakewood. Some patients were taken to Denver Health.