CSP Trooper shot
PRESS RELEASE
May 8, 2014
NEWS RELEASE
IMPORTANT: Please direct any media requests to the contact below. Do not contact the Garfield County Emergency Communications Center or Patrol staff for media requests.
Update
May 9, 2014 4:37 PM
Second Trooper in I-70 Shooting revealed
GARFIELD COUNTY, Colo. – Trooper Shane Gosnell, a three year veteran of the Colorado State Patrol, has been identified as the second Trooper involved in the shooting that occurred yesterday in Glenwood Canyon. Trooper Gosnell has served in the 4-C area for his career with the State Patrol.
“Undoubtedly the heroic actions of Trooper Gosnell saved the life of Trooper Hofacker” said Colonel Scott Hernandez, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “We are extremely proud of Trooper Gosnell, as well as the other members of the Colorado State Patrol, who acted swiftly when arriving on scene.”
We ask that you please continue to keep Trooper Hofacker and Trooper Gosnell in your thoughts and prayers.
Additionally, media requests have been made regarding the specific injuries that Trooper Hofacker sustained during this incident. Other than to say that he received gunshot wounds during this altercation, the specifics of his injuries and his medical
status are being treated as protected medical information and no further details will be released by the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office at this time.
Further, Sheriff Vallario advises that requests related to the number of rounds fired and the type of weapons involved will be addressed in future press releases, after the forensic analysis, the crime scene investigation and a search of the involved vehicles has been completed. At that point, we will provide accurate, rather than speculative, information. We can state that multiple shots were fired by those involved, but we are still in the process of determining the details of this event.
Media Reminder: Both Trooper Gosnell and Trooper Hofacker are unavailable for interviews.
Update
May 9, 2014 12:45 PM
Shooter identified
On Thursday morning at approximately 9:10 AM two Colorado State Troopers stopped to assist a motorist on Westbound I-70 at the 129 mile marker.
Colorado State Trooper Eugene Hofacker approached the driver’s side of the stopped car. The driver, Thomas Albert Orneles, born July 7, 1973 shot Trooper Hofacker . The second Trooper, who was approaching from the rear returned fire on the suspect.
The suspect, Orneles, was killed in the exchange. There were no other occupants in the car and therefore no other suspects in the shooting.
The ensuing investigation required the closure of I-70 in both directions for an extended period of time. East bound traffic was released shortly after 2:00 PM and west bound traffic resumed around 4:30 PM, once the crime scene had been recorded and a proper investigation completed.
Trooper Hofacker was transported to the Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs. As of the time of this report Trooper Hofacker is reported to be doing well and in high spirits despite relatively serious injuries.
The Garfield Sheriff’s Office would like to extend a sincere thanks to all the agencies that worked together on this incident, including the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, the Glenwood Springs, Police Department, Colorado State Patrol, the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office, the Garfield County Coroner and any other agencies directly or indirectly involved in the investigation of this incident.
GARFIELD COUNTY, Colo. – At approximately 9:10 AM during a routine traffic stop in East Garfield County near mile marker 129 on Interstate 70 a State Trooper was shot and injured. The Trooper has been transported to the Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs.
A suspect on the scene is deceased.
West Bound I-70 is closed at mile marker 130 and will remain closed indefinitely.
I70 East Bound has been reopened. Officers from several agencies as well as an Investigator from the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office are on scene.
No further information will be released.