PASSENGER SHOT IN HEAD AFTER HIT & RUN CRASH IN LITTLETON

A truck passenger was shot in the head and died following a hit-and-run accident and altercation Saturday night, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said. The passenger was in a pickup truck that collided with several vehicles at South Santa Fe Drive and West Belleview Avenue in Littleton, fled the scene and eventually stopped for help at Columbine High School at 6201 South Pierce Street.

Investigators believe the shooting occurred near Grant Ranch Boulevard and West Bowles Avenue.

The sheriff's office described the sequence of events: "One of the victims, driving a white BMW SUV, called Littleton Police and reported that he was following the fleeing Ford truck. According to Littleton Police, the BMW driver was instructed to stop following the vehicle. Littleton Police subsequently issued a BOLO (Be on the Lookout) for the Ford truck." "Approximately four minutes later, at 10:32 p.m., Jeffco deputies responded to a report of a shooting. The driver of a blue Ford F-150 reported that someone fired shots at his truck, striking the male passenger. The driver pulled into the parking lot of Columbine High School." "Deputies arrived and immediately began lifesaving efforts on the victim. The victim sustained a gunshot wound to the head, was transported to a local hospital, and later died from his injuries." On Sunday, "investigators executed a search warrant at a home in Highlands Ranch where two individuals were contacted and taken to headquarters to be interviewed - both were eventually released pending further investigation," the sheriff's office said. If you have information, contact the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office tip line (303) 271-5612 or email jcsocrimetips@jeffco.us.