On December 31, 2017 at approximately 5:14 a.m., the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Copper Canyon Apartments at 3404 E County Line Rd. Highlands Ranch, CO on the report of a disturbance. While investigating the incident inside the apartment, deputies encountered multiple gunshots coming from a bedroom within the apartment. It is with a heavy heart that we have to announce that at the conclusion of this incident, Deputy Zackari Parrish with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office was shot and killed in the line of duty by the gunman. Three other Douglas County Deputies, one Castle Rock Police Department Officer, and two civilians were also shot by the gunman.
The gunman was shot and killed by officers; he will not be identified at this time.
Deceased:
- 29-year-old Deputy Zackari Parrish with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Parrish had been serving Douglas County for approximately seven months, and had served at the Castle Rock Police Department for 2.5 years prior. He is survived by his wife and two small children. Zack was passionate about being a police officer and a husband and father, a true hero that will be sorely missed.
Injured:
- Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Michael Doyle, 28-year-old
- Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jeff Pelle, 32-year-old
- Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Taylor Davis, 30-year-old
- Castle Rock Police Department SWAT Officer Thomas O’Donnell, 41-year-old
Timeline:
Douglas County Dispatch initially received the report of a “verbal disturbance” call at the location at approximately 3:00 a.m. involving two males. Both males were at the apartment, one male said the suspect was acting bizarre and might be having a mental breakdown. Deputies cleared the scene at 3:44 a.m., no crime had been committed at that time. Deputies were called back to the scene at 5:14 a.m. and the first officer arrived on scene at 5:17a.m. Three additional officers also arrived on scene, the last one arriving at 5:35am. One male had left the scene prior to officer’s arrival. The male returned to the scene and gave officers a key and permission to enter the apartment, but then left the scene prior to the shooting. At 5:56 a.m., four officers were hit by rifle rounds from the suspect’s bedroom. Three of the deputies were able to get to safety, however, the fourth officer, Deputy Parrish, was not able to retreat. Due to the amount of gunfire along with sustained injuries, the three injured deputies were not able to get to Parrish for an immediate rescue.
SWAT made entry into the apartment at approximately 7:30a.m., shots were exchanged between the suspect and SWAT, resulting in the suspect’s death. Officer Tom O’Donnell was also shot and injured by the suspect at this time. It is believed, at this time, that the suspect shot more than 100 rounds from a rifle.
At 6:08 a.m., a CodeRed reverse 911 call was sent to citizens in the vicinity of the incident advising to shelter in place.
While the victims of this incident and The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office are greatly appreciative of the support received from the community, we would like to request that you avoid using any Go Fund Me donations sites as it is difficult to validate legitimacy. Any donations can be directed to the Douglas County Fallen Officer Fund at www.dcsheriff.net/fallen-officer-fund
