Shooting of armed man by Fountain police sergeant deemed justified

No criminal charges will be field against a Fountain police sergeant for a shooting, according to a review of the incident by the El Paso County district attorney’s office.

Sgt. Stephen Williams acted reasonably on March 2 when he fired his weapon, striking Tyler Frisch, who was armed and had fired his weapon into the air, during a standoff with police, according to the DA’s review. “No charges will be filed.”

Frisch, 22, of Colorado Springs, allegedly was driving a stolen truck when he took off running after he was ordered out of the vehicle by police, according to the review. Frisch ran into a residential neighborhood, and officers, including Williams, caught up to him.

According to the review, Frisch was standing in the road holding a gun to his head. Officers, using their cars as shields, drew their weapons and yelled at Frisch, commanding him to drop his weapon.

Frisch began passing the gun from one hand to the other. He then fired a shot into the air, the review said. He again pointed the gun at his own head and again passed the gun back and forth between his hands. He then pointed the gun at officers.

“Williams fired one shot from his rifle, striking Mr. Frisch in the abdomen,” the review said. Frisch was taken to a hospital, where he remains.

Upon medical discharge, Frisch will be charged with multiple criminal counts, including first-degree assault of a peace officer with a weapon, according to the DA’s office.

Colorado law states “that an officer is justified in using deadly force if he or she reasonably believes that it is necessary to defend himself or a third person from what he
reasonably believes to be the imminent use of deadly physical force,” the review said.

Based on the circumstances and evidence, Williams acted within reason when he fired his weapon, according to the review. A criminal case against Frisch is ongoing.