A tragic scene unfolded at Snowy Range Ski Area in southern Wyoming on Sunday as a suicidal man allegedly charged towards sheriff’s deputies with a knife in his hand. Acting out of self preservation, the sheriffs reportedly shot and killed 48-year-old, John Alan Britton from Colorado.
Results of an autopsy completed in Loveland, Colorado are forthcoming.
Albany County Sheriff’s Department Press Release:
On Sunday, December 6th, deputies of the Albany County Sheriff’s Office were investigating a report of a possible suicidal subject from Colorado, who was in Albany County.
Albany County Deputies conducted an extensive search to attempt to locate the subject, and subsequently located the man in his truck, in the upper parking lot of the Snowy Range Ski Area.
The subject refused to make contact with the deputies and remained seated in his truck.
Deputies placed the ski area on lock down, and requested that everyone remain inside of ski area buildings, and requested the Centennial Fire Department EMS to stage near the entrance to the ski area.
The subject subsequently left his truck and approached deputies on foot. After numerous attempts by the deputies to end the situation peacefully, the subject suddenly charged the deputies, armed with a knife.
Deputies fired, striking the subject. Efforts to provide life saving measures were made by deputies and EMS personnel.
The subject, identified as John Alan Britton (48), a Colorado resident, succumbed to the wounds at the scene.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Britton’s friends and family as well as the officers involved.Â