Mesa County Sheriff’s Deputy Shot Responding to Report of Man With a Gun [UPDATED]

A Mesa County Sheriff's Deputy was shot after making contact with a suspect in the Fruitvale area of Grand Junction.

[UPDATE 12:42 p.m. February 10] Authorities released the name of the suspect involved in the shooting of Mesa County Sheriff's Deputy Derek Geer. the suspect has been identified as 17- year-old Austin Patrick Holzer, of Grand Junction.

[UPDATE 1:43 p.m. Tuesday, February 9] Sheriff Matt Lewis released a statement regarding Deputy Geer's condition. An excerpt from that statement follows:

Unfortunately, Deputy Geer’s condition has not improved.  He is on life-support so he can perform one last selfless act of service by donating his organs."

[UPDATE 8:45 p.m. Monday, February 8] Mesa County Sheriff Matt Lewis released further information regarding the incident at a press conference this evening. The deputy injured in the attack is Derek Geer He received multiple gunshot wounds during the shooting and is in critical condition with life threatening injuries at St. Mary's Hospital.

According to Lewis, the 17- year-old suspect, who has not been named, was contacted by deputy Green near 30 1/2 and E Roads.

Deputy Geer advised the suspect he was being detained as part of a weapons investigation. When the suspect attempted to flee, Geer deployed his taser to subdue the suspect. The suspect then fired his weapon striking Green multiple times.

Mesa County Sheriff's deputies and other law enforcement responding to the scene, found Geer unresponsive, contacted dispatch with an "officer down" and proceeded to search for the suspect who was located at 12:04 p.m. and arrested. The gun, which authorities believe was used in the shooting, was also recovered.

Additional updates will be provided as they become available.

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[Original Story] According to the Mesa County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a report of a man with a gun in the 500 block of Fruitvale Court.

One deputy was shot after making contact with the suspect. The deputy was transported to a local hospital with unknown injuries.

The suspect fled the scene but was later located and arrested.

Pear Park Elementary was on lock-down during the incident. Afternoon kindergarten classes at Fruitvale Elementary have also been cancelled for the day.

The Sheriff's Office plans on releasing additional information as it becomes available.