Update:  The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office is releasing the following information on behalf of the 21st Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT).  

The investigation of yesterday’s officer-involved shooting remains ongoing.  As with all officer-involved shootings in Mesa County, the CIRT is conducting the investigation.

The suspect in yesterday's officer-involved shooting has received medical treatment and was released from the hospital. 28-year-old Joseph Mendez was transported to the Mesa County Detention Facility and booked on the following charges:

• 1 Count of Menacing-Real/Simulated Weapon - Class 5 Felony

• 1 Count of Possession of a Weapon by Previous Offender - Class 5 Felony

• 3 Counts of Violation of a Protection Order - Class 1 Misdemeanor 

• 3 Counts of Violation of Bail Bond Conditions  - Class 2 Misdemeanor 

• 1 Count of Theft - $300-$1000 - Misdemeanor 2

• 1 Count of Resisting Arrest - Misdemeanor 2

The CIRT continues to conduct interviews and collect evidence in this case. As the investigation continues, there may be additional charges.  Additional details will be released as appropriate, with sensitivity to the ongoing investigation.  

The Grand Junction Police Department will be responsible for releasing the names of their involved personnel.  As per Grand Junction Police Department policy, their officers remain on paid administrative leave.

Once the CIRT has completed its investigation, the findings will be turned over to the 21st Judicial District Attorney’s Office for review.

Previous:

The 21st Judicial District  Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) has released preliminary information about an officer-involved shooting that occurred today involving the Grand Junction Police Department.

Today at approximately 10:30 am, officers with the Grand Junction Police Department responded to the Red Roof Inn to investigate a domestic violence complaint.  Once in contact with an adult male, the suspect fled.  A foot pursuit ensued and the officer-involved shooting occurred.

The suspect was transported to the hospital via ambulance; the status of his injuries is unknown at this time.  No officers were injured.  No persons other than the suspect were injured.

It is important to note that this investigation is in the early stages, and this preliminary information is subject to change.  Critical Incident Response Team members will interview witnesses and involved persons in this case. 

 As is standard protocol with any officer-involved shooting, both officers involved are currently on paid administrative leave.  An internal investigation will take place separately from the criminal investigation being conducted by the CIRT.  This incident remains under investigation by the CIRT.

All officer-involved shootings in Mesa County are investigated by the 21st Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team, which is comprised of representatives of the Mesa County Sheriff's Office, the Grand Junction Police Department, Fruita Police Department, Palisade Police Department, Colorado State Patrol, Colorado Department of Corrections, 21st Judicial District Attorney's Office, and Colorado Bureau of Investigation.  The CIRT is activated when a law enforcement agency is involved in a critical incident to ensure an independent investigation.  Because the Grand Junction Police Department personnel were involved in this incident, the Mesa County Sheriff's Office is leading this investigation on behalf of CIRT.