COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Police have released bodycam footage from an August 22 officer-involved shooting that left a kidnapping suspect dead in Colorado Springs.
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According to CSPD, the Violent Fugitive Offender Task Force spotted a vehicle tied to a man wanted for first-degree kidnapping. Officers tracked the car to Branding Iron Circle and tried to arrest the driver, later identified as 42-year-old Cole Vannuci.
Investigators say Vannuci refused commands to exit his vehicle, tried to drive away, and was blocked in by police. Officers then used a 40mm round to break a rear window in preparation to deploy gas. Before they could, Vannuci got out holding what appeared to be a firearm and confronted officers.
Two CSPD officers opened fire, striking Vannuci. Medical personnel arrived shortly after, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Police later said the weapon was an Airsoft gun designed to look like an MP5 rifle with no orange safety tip.
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office is investigating CSPD’s use of force.