On Saturday, October 31, 2015, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Deadly Force Investigation Team (DFIT) was notified to respond to the area of Platte Avenue and Wahsatch Avenue, in Colorado Springs, with regard to an officer involved shooting.  As part of the Sheriff’s Office ongoing investigation the following information has been obtained:

As of November 3, 2015, the Sheriff’s Office DFIT has interviewed more than 20 witnesses who were in the area at the time of the officer involved portion of the incident, several of whom witnessed parts of the incident directly.  In addition, the four law enforcement officers who returned fire, other officers on scene and medical personal have also been interviewed.

Based on video evidence, physical evidence at the scene, and interviews, the preliminary information indicates that:

When the first members of the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) arrived, Harpham was standing near the center median of Platte Avenue and Wahsatch on the south side of the roadway.  He was armed with a pistol in one hand and a rifle in the other hand. He was given commands to drop his guns.  He refused and immediately began firing at police.  A CSPD car was struck in the front windshield.

Harpham began to move from the center of the roadway south towards Wendy’s while firing in rapid succession towards police.   Four officers from the Colorado Springs Police Department returned fire, striking Harpham once with a fatal round.  It was determined that Harpham was armed with an AR15 rife, a .357 revolver, and a 9mm semi-automatic pistol.

The District Attorney’s Office will review for filing determination.