Officer-involved shooting on Colorado River bridge closes Highway 13 near Rifle

Two Rifle police officers are on administrative leave and one man is in the hospital following an officer-involved shooting incident on the Colorado River Bridge near the main Rifle Interstate 70 exit Monday evening.

Rifle Police made a vehicle stop on the bridge between the I-70 exit and Whiteriver Avenue between 7:30 and 8 p.m., according to a press release from the Rifle Police Department.

“Two officers made contact with the subject, which unfortunately led to shots being fired,” according to the release.

A weapon not belonging to the officers was found at the scene, according to the report.

The man who was injured was transported by ambulance to the hospital by Colorado River Fire Rescue with undisclosed injuries. No officers were injured, police said.

Police did not say what led to the traffic stop.

The bridge remained closed overnight while the field investigation was completed. It has since reopened, as of just before 6 a.m. Tuesday.

According to Police Chief Tommy Klein, a Critical Incident Team, made up of law enforcement agencies in the 9th Judicial District, was contacted per standard procedure and has taken over the investigation.

“Per policy, both involved officers have been placed on administrative leave and the Rifle Police Department will perform an administrative review,” the release stated.