News Article

Park County Officer-Involved Shooting Investigation Continues

Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) agents continue to investigate the officer-involved shooting incident in Park County on February 9, 2023. 

The suspect in the incident remains hospitalized and is expected to survive. The name of 45-year-old male suspect is not being released at this time.

At the conclusion of the investigation, CBI agents will present the case information to the 11th Judicial District Attorney’s Office for review.
 

Officer-Involved Shooting in Park County

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been requested to investigate an officer-involved shooting occurring in Park County on February 9, 2023.

At approximately 7:50 p.m., Park County Sheriff’s Office deputies attempted to make a traffic stop on CSH 285 near the town of Bailey when the driver of a Toyota Land Cruiser failed to stop and began driving at speeds in excess of 100 mph.  A short pursuit was terminated due to public safety from the erratic and dangerous driving of the suspect.

Honoring Colorado Missing Persons Day

Colorado Missing Persons Day was honored with a series of events at the state Capitol building on Friday, February 3, 2023. In addition to a Resolution being read at the Capitol, a prayer vigil will honor nearly 600 individuals currently missing for a year or more in the State of Colorado.

Colorado Missing Persons Day—February 3, 2023 Ceremony to be held at State Capitol

Colorado Missing Persons Day is being honored with a series of events at the state Capitol building (200 E. Colfax Avenue) beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, February 3, 2023. In addition to a Resolution being read at the Capitol, a prayer vigil will honor 589 individuals currently missing for a year or more in the State of Colorado.

*Order of events at the State Capitol Building on February 3, 2023

AMBER Alert Awareness Day: January 13

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) recognizes National AMBER Alert Awareness Day on January 13, 2023, in remembrance of 9-year-old Amber Hagerman who went missing in Texas and was found deceased five days later in 1996. In 1996, the AMBER Alert program was developed in her memory to create a network to share information in the event of a child abduction.

CBI Hosts Poster Contest in Honor of Missing Children--Deadline: Feb. 10, 2023

In honor of missing children across the country, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is hosting a poster contest for Colorado 5th grade students as part of a national campaign sponsored by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ).

Every year the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) takes time to commemorate the valiant and unselfish acts of the many organizations and individuals who bring our missing children home. Since 1983, May 25th has been designated as National Missing Children’s Day.

Guilty Verdict in Rocky Ford Homicide

On December 10, 2022, a jury in Otero County convicted a Rocky Ford man in the homicide of Amanda M. Velasquez Ybarra (DOB: 02/08/82).
Edward Lawrence Aragon (DOB: 11/29/1981) was found guilty of First Degree Murder earlier this month. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on December 16, 2022. 

Incident Overview
Rocky Ford police officers were called to a home in the 600 block of South 8th Street where they found Ybarra deceased inside a residence on July 24, 2015.

Chris Schaefer Selected as Next CBI Director

Colorado Department of Public Safety (CDPS) Executive Director Stan Hilkey has selected Chris Schaefer as the next Director of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI), effective February 3, 2023.


The Department of Public Safety selected Schaefer as Director after a robust and competitive search followed by panel interviews with CDPS leadership, CBI staff, and statewide and federal partners including law enforcement and district attorneys.

Arrest Made in Southwest Colorado Homicide

A 34-year-old Ignacio man is being held on suspicion of second degree murder involving the death of Raeanna "Nikki" Burch-Woodhull (age 28), an Indigenous female from Ignacio. 

A suspect was identified during the course of the investigation, and Luis Raul Valenzuela (DOB: 02/15/1988) was taken into custody on Saturday, December 3, 2022. Valenzuela was taken to the La Plata County Jail. His first appearance is set for Monday, December 5, 2022. Investigators believe the suspect is known to Burch-Woodhull.

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