Crash Involving GJPD Patrol Vehicle #GVCopBeat
At approximately 4:40pm on Friday, February 21, 2020, officers with the Grand Junction Police Department were dispatched to a report of a two vehicle traffic crash at the intersection of N. 7th Street and Ute Avenue, involving a GJPD patrol car.
Although it’s very early in the investigation and all facts are not yet know, the preliminary information indicates that the GJPD patrol SUV was traveling northbound on N. 7th Street when it was broadsided by a passenger vehicle traveling westbound on Ute Avenue. The collision caused the patrol vehicle to roll onto it’s top.
The sole occupant of the passenger car was a male driver who reported no injuries. The patrol car was occupied by two GJPD officers. The female officer who was driving was able to exit the car on her own. The male officer who was traveling in the passenger seat had to be extricated by emergency personnel with the Grand Junction Fire Department. Both officers were transported to the hospital to be evaluated; however, no serious injuries have been reported at this time.
Traffic is blocked in all direction at the intersection of N. 7th Street and Ute Avenue, and will remain closed until further notice. The cause and contributing factors of the crash are still under investigation. We will share more details as they become available.
Arrest Made in Death Investigation #GVCopBeat
The suspect who was detained this afternoon in relation to the death investigation has been arrested for Murder in the First Degree.
Brachon Hyer, 21, of Grand Junction, has been remanded to the custody of the Mesa County Detention Facility for multiple offenses, including Murder in the First Degree, Aggravated Robbery, and Theft. Hyer is believed to be the subject who was captured by security footage in the area where the crime occurred. Hyer was contacted and detained in the the 2700 Block of G Road earlier this afternoon after a reporting party called law enforcement and stated that Hyer had confessed to killing the victim. No booking photo of Hyer is available at this time. We are not seeking any additional suspects related to this investigation.
Again, we appreciate the efforts of everyone who called and provided tips and information regarding this investigation. We are fortunate to serve this compassionate community.
Suspect Detained in Death Investigation #GVCopBeat
At approximately 3:00pm this afternoon, officers and detectives with the Grand Junction Police Department contacted an adult male in the 2700 Block of G Road after receiving information from a reporting party that the male may be involved in the death investigation from yesterday, February 6th, 2020. More information about that incident can be found here. The male has been detained and transported to the Grand Junction Police Department, where the investigation will continue.
At this time, this male has been detained and not formally arrested or charged, therefore we will not be releasing his name or identifying information. No further information is available at this time. We will provide updates as they become available.
We’ve received a flood of tips and information from the community in an effort to assist with this investigation. We are so gratified by the response of our community, who have clearly demonstrated that they are invested in the safety of our City and have shown strong support for the efforts of law enforcement. We are thankful for the cooperation of everyone who has called in, and we are humbled by your support.
Update to Officer-Involved Shooting #GVCopBeat
The Grand Junction Police Department is identifying the officer who discharged his weapon in the officer-involved shooting that occurred on Sunday, February 2, 2020.
Officer Zach Diaz is a patrol officer who started with our agency in 2017. Prior to his employment with our department, Officer Diaz served as a POST certified campus safety officer at Colorado Mesa University for two years.
As is standard protocol with any officer involved shooting, Officer Diaz is currently on paid administrative leave, pending the outcome of an internal investigation, which takes place separately from the criminal investigation being conducted by the 21st Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team. This incident remains under investigation by CIRT. Information previously released regarding this incident can be found here.
GJPD Seeking ID of Person of Interest in Death Investigation #GVCopBeat
At approximately 12:17pm on Thursday, February 6th, a reporting party called 9-1-1 and stated that they went into a business at 2050 North Avenue and discovered an unresponsive female with obvious injuries. The reporting party immediately exited the building and called law enforcement. Officers with the Grand Junction Police Department responded to the scene within minutes and located a deceased adult female inside the business.
Officers quickly established a perimeter around the building and shut down westbound traffic on North Avenue from N. 18th Street to N. 23rd Street. Surrounding buildings were contacted to inquire about video footage that may have been captured and a K9 team was called out to aid in the investigation.
Video cameras in the area captured images of a person of interest, pictured below, in the area of the business shortly before the reporting party called 9-1-1. Law enforcement would like to identify and speak with this person, as we believe they may have information about this incident. If you recognize this person, or have any information that could aid in this investigation, you are urged to contact us at 970.242.6707. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can also contact Crime Stoppers of Mesa County at 970.241.STOP, or via www.241STOP.com.
Additionally, we are seeking evidence that may have been captured from video doorbells or home security cameras. If you live in the area of N. 15th Street to N. 23rd Street, between North Avenue and Orchard Avenue, and you have potential video evidence from Thursday, February 6th, between the hours of 10:00am to 12:00pm, please contact the Grand Junction Police Department at 970.242.6707.
The Mesa County Coroner’s Office will be responsible for releasing the manner and cause of death, as well as releasing the identity of the victim after appropriate notifications have been made.
Arrest Made in Homicide Investigation #GVCopBeat
On Sunday, February 2, 2020, shortly after 8:30pm, officers with the Grand Junction Police Department were dispatched to the TA Express truck stop at 2222 Highway 6 & 50 on a report of a shooting that had just occurred. Information provided to dispatch indicated that there was a male subject on the ground in the parking lot, and a second male was also injured. Upon arrival, officers located one adult male with multiple apparent gunshot wounds. Despite rescue efforts, the male was pronounced deceased at the scene. A second adult male was also contacted at the scene with an apparent gunshot wound to his leg. That male was transported to the hospital by medical personnel with the Grand Junction Fire Department. His injuries were serious, but he is expected to survive.
The business and the surrounding area were quickly locked down, and a large presence of law enforcement responded, including personnel with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office and Colorado State Patrol. A perimeter was set up, the scene was secured, and witnesses were interviewed. A suspect was not located at the scene.
Shortly before 10:00pm, officers with the Fruita Police Department were dispatched to a residence in the 400 Block of Birchwood Street, where they contacted a male who was ultimately determined to be the suspect in the shooting incident.
Christopher Rizo, 29, of Grand Junction, was arrested and remanded to the Mesa County Detention Facility for charges of Murder in the First Degree (F1), Attempted Murder in the First Degree (F2), Tampering with Physical Evidence (F6), two counts of Aggravated Robbery (F3), two counts of 2nd Degree Kidnapping (F2), and two counts of Menacing (F5). The affidavit in this case is currently sealed. We are not releasing the booking photo of the suspect at this time as this investigation is ongoing and detectives continue to interview witnesses. We are not seeking any additional suspects in this incident.
The Mesa County Coroner’s Office will be responsible for releasing the identity of the deceased victim in this case.
GJPD Investigating Attempted Bank Robbery #GVCopBeat
At approximately 3:42pm today, officers with the Grand Junction Police Department were dispatched to the Wells Fargo Bank at 28 Road and North Avenue on reports of a robbery in progress. The suspect fled the scene before officers arrived.
Officers with the Grand Junction Police Department immediately searched the area. The
suspect has not yet been located. Suspect is described as a white male, last seen wearing a Boston Red Sox baseball cap, dark sunglasses, a tan winter jacket, and has a light colored goatee. The investigation is ongoing and the scene is still being processed. If anyone has information about this suspect, they can call Crime Stoppers at 241-STOP, send the information via the web at Crime Stoppers of Mesa County, or text CRIMES to 241STOP and include your tip information.
