Today the 18th Judicial District’s Critical Response Team and the Douglas County Sheriff Investigation’s Division ended the bulk of the preliminary gathering of evidence and interviews in this case, allowing some details of this incident to be shared.
This incident was located only a few hundred yards from Sierra Middle School, which at the time of the call was getting ready to release students for the day. The address backs up to a field which is bordered by a retirement community, Lifetime Fitness and across the street, the Parker Adventist Hospital.
Officers on scene surrounding the residence included those from the Parker Police Department, the Castle Rock Police Department along with Deputies from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, DC Regional IMPACT unit, School Resource Officers, and School Marshal Program Officers.
While surveilling the suspect, he was seen carrying weapons and what appeared to be an ammo box between his home and his RV. At one point officers heard a gunshot on scene. Once the RV became mobile and started heading out of the development officers were fired upon. Deputy Brite was hit and officers returned fire. Officers loaded detective Brite into a police vehicle and were intercepted by a South Metro Fire SWAT Medic who is also a member of Douglas County’s Regional SWAT Team. Officer Brite was loaded into an awaiting South Metro Fire medic unit where medics performed lifesaving measures while transporting Officer Brite to Parker Adventist Hospital, which was located only a few hundred yards away. The proximity to Parker Adventist Hospital as well as the valiant effort by both paramedics and doctors at the hospital undeniably saved Detective Brite’s life.
At the same time Brite was being evacuated, the suspect was continuing through the field toward Parker Adventist while firing weapons at officers. He then crashed the RV in front of the Hospital and was shot by a responding officer.
As of this time the doctors are seeing promising progress and Dan is responding to stimulus. Christine wants to acknowledge the role she believes prayer has played in his recovery and asks for continued prayer. She thanks everyone for how much support she has received from the employees, volunteers and the community. Sheriff Spurlock said “I’m very proud of the men and women of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, our partners, the Parker Police Department, the Castle Rock Police Department, the Colorado State Patrol, and South Metro Fire all working together to bring this tragic situation to an end. I also can’t thank the Parker Adventist Hospital enough for their professionalism, talent and hospitality to officers, employees, family and friends.”
It was determined that a photo of Detective Brite could be released at this point and it is attached. There are several ways to help the Brite family:
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has a Fallen Officer Fund which is designed to assist Officers and their family in the event of a serious injury or death in the line of duty. The Fallen Officer Fund is a Colorado 501(c)(3) tax exempt charitable organization. Tax ID #205599045. Donations can be sent to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office at 4000 Justice Way, Castle Rock, CO, 80109, Atten: Sgt. Ron Hanavan. A link to information about the fund is located at: http://www.dcsheriff.net/douglas-county-fallen-officer-fund/ A GoFundMe page has also been set up by the family and can be accessed at: https://www.gofundme.com/danielbrite