Danny Sanchez, 40

Greeley, Colorado
October 28, 2017

Agencies: Greeley Police Department Colorado

Cause of death: Not Yet Known


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Overview

Greeley police fatally shot Danny Sanchez, a 40-year-old transient, after authorities say he rammed a police vehicle with his car and pointed a gun at officers during a pursuit.

About 11:20 p.m. Friday, officers learned Sanchez, who was wanted on felony warrants, was headed to the mobile home park. Officers believed he was possibly armed with a handgun, according to a news release from authorities.

The warrants were:

» Parole violation for escape from the Colorado Department of Corrections.

» A felony warrant out of Larimer County for menacing.

» Previous offender in possession of weapon with notation of violent tendencies.

» Driving without a license for previous DUI arrests.

Almost two and a half hours after they arrived at the mobile home park, officers saw Sanchez enter a vehicle. As police approached Sanchez, however, they say he abruptly backed out of the driveway and rammed an officer's vehicle before taking off at high speed.

Carlos Benitez, 22, saw the chase as he arrived home from work about 2 a.m., he said. As he walked back from where a friend dropped him off south of the mobile home park, Benitez said he saw the high-speed pursuit go as far south as 5th Street.

As they chased Sanchez, officers saw him pointing a handgun out the driver's side window, the release stated.

After nearly 8 minutes, Sanchez headed back to the mobile home park, where officers caught up to him about 1:55 a.m. Saturday — back at the trailer where they originally made contact.

Benitez said he didn't think anything of the chase until it returned to the mobile home park. He noticed the suspect driving with popped tires and lights off, he said. Benitez continued heading to his home north of 1st Street, then he heard what sounded like many gunshots.

After 20 or 30 seconds, he said, another round of shots went off.

When officers confronted Sanchez, the release stated, he failed to follow commands and submit to arrest. Officers discharged their weapons.

Sanchez was pronounced dead on scene.