Bodycam Footage Shows Deputy Shooting Suspect Armed With Rifle

 Douglas County, Colorado — Authorities released body camera footage on Wednesday revealing the intense moments leading up to the shooting of a suspect by a Douglas County sheriff’s deputy. The incident occurred on the evening of Friday, July 25, 2025, near County Line Road and Santa Fe Drive, where a deputy stopped to assist what appeared to be a stranded motorist.

The deputy, whose name has not yet been released, noticed a white GMC SUV parked along the roadside. Believing the vehicle may have broken down, he pulled over and exited his patrol vehicle to offer help. As the deputy approached the SUV, the encounter quickly escalated into a dangerous confrontation.

According to Cmdr. Trent Cooper of the Littleton Police Department, the driver of the SUV, later identified as 26-year-old Deyon Marcus Rivas-Maestas, exited the vehicle while armed with what was described as a military-style semi-automatic rifle. Body camera footage reportedly shows the deputy immediately issuing verbal commands for Rivas-Maestas to drop the weapon. However, police say those commands were ignored.

“Essentially, the deputy was attacked,” Cooper stated during a press briefing. “He felt his life was in immediate danger and responded in the manner he was trained to.” The deputy discharged his firearm, striking Rivas-Maestas in the arm. He then retreated to a safer distance while additional units were called to the scene. First aid was rendered to the suspect until emergency responders arrived.

Rivas-Maestas was transported to a local hospital, where he remains in stable condition under police supervision. Authorities say he will face charges of assault with a deadly weapon and other potential felony offenses once he is medically cleared for release. Investigators have not disclosed what prompted Rivas-Maestas to confront the deputy with a firearm or whether there was any indication of prior criminal behavior or mental health concerns.

The incident is now under investigation by the 18th Judicial District’s Critical Incident Response Team, in coordination with the Littleton Police Department. This team is responsible for examining use-of-force cases involving law enforcement officers in the region to ensure accountability and transparency. Officials say they will analyze body cam footage, physical evidence from the scene, and witness accounts before making any determinations about the legality of the deputy’s actions.

As is standard procedure following officer-involved shootings, the deputy involved has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. This allows internal and external reviews to proceed without interference while also giving the deputy time away from active duty during a high-stress period.

The release of the body cam footage is part of an effort by law enforcement to maintain public trust and provide clarity about what unfolded during the encounter. “We want the public to see what the deputy was faced with,” Cooper said. “This wasn’t a traffic stop or a routine welfare check—it became a life-threatening incident in a matter of seconds.”

Community response has so far been measured, with many residents expressing concern over the rising number of incidents involving armed confrontations. Advocacy groups continue to call for increased mental health and de-escalation training for officers, while also urging the public to consider the split-second decisions law enforcement must make in dangerous situations.

Authorities say more information will be released as the investigation progresses. In the meantime, Rivas-Maestas remains under guard at the hospital, and prosecutors are expected to file formal charges in the coming days. The case remains a stark reminder of how rapidly routine encounters can turn into deadly situations—and how critical both officer judgment and civilian cooperation are in determining outcomes.




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