HIGHLANDS RANCH, CO – A suspect was fatally shot by deputies early Monday morning in the parking lot of a popular entertainment venue in Highlands Ranch following an active shooter report. The incident unfolded at the Main Event, where police were also investigating another event inside the building that may be linked to the parking lot shooting.
The Main Event was closed to the public on Monday, not due to the previous night’s events but for a private gathering. However, the atmosphere was tense as three individuals recounted the chaos they experienced during the incident.
Adam and his friends were at the venue when they heard a gunshot. Initially unsure of what they heard over the noise of the bowling lanes, they later realized the gravity of the situation. They returned the following day to retrieve their car, which had been left within the crime scene perimeter.
Douglas County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the active shooter call just before midnight. They encountered a man with a firearm in the parking lot. Despite receiving multiple commands to disarm, the suspect allegedly turned toward a deputy, prompting the officer to fire. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.
Inside the venue, the chaos continued for Adam and others as multiple shots rang out. They sought cover behind the bowling pins, uncertain of what was happening. Deputies discovered a second suspect, a woman, inside the building, along with a female victim who sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Sheriff’s spokespersons indicated that there is a connection between the events inside and outside the Main Event. Sheriff Daron Weekly noted that the situation could have been far worse, given the large number of people present at the entertainment center.
The incident disrupted plans for a birthday party that was to be celebrated at the venue. Adam expressed relief that he and his friends were able to return home safely, hoping for a quieter evening ahead.
Authorities urge anyone who was present at the Main Event or in the parking lot during the incident to contact the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office with any information that may assist the investigation.