DENVER — A transit security officer talking to two women trying to catch a late night train home was shot and killed after a man came up from behind, stuck a handgun to the officer’s neck and fired, according to Denver police.
The shooting happened late Tuesday night near Union Station, a hub for buses and trains, and the city’s pedestrian mall. Security camera footage helped police quickly find and arrest the suspected gunman, Joshua Cummings, 37. Police said Wednesday they were still looking for a motive for the unprovoked attack.
The armed officer, Scott Von Lanken of Loveland, was wearing a dark blue uniform similar to those worn by police. In case he was targeted because he was believed to be a police officer, police Chief Robert White said officers have been warned to remain vigilant.
According to police, Von Lanken was trying to help two women who were afraid they had missed the last light rail train when one of them said she saw a man with a swollen face and “weird looking eyes” walk up to the officer and say something to the effect of “Do what you are told” before she heard a gunshot. He ran away but police found Cummings hiding on the patio of a nearby loft apartment building with a 9mm handgun.
