Police release name of suspect wounded in Friday night shootout

David Orton

LAKEWOOD – A man wounded in an exchange of gunfire with police during a standoff late last week was identified Monday as David Orton, 33, of Lakewood. Orton remains hospitalized at S. Anthony Central Hospital in Denver with what a police spokesman said are “non-life threatening” injuries.

Orton was wounded after Lakewood police investigating a reported disturbance at a residence in the 1300 block of Kline Street about 10:15 p.m. Friday. The caller told dispatchers there had been an incident involving a woman and a man with a gun, according to LPD spokesman Steve Davis.

When officers arrived at the scene, Orton left the residence carrying a rifle. After spotting officers, Orton fired at them, Davis said, then retreated back inside. Soon after Orton went back inside the residence, a woman fled the building and told police there were three young children inside with Orton.

Police negotiators tried to contact Orton for several hours, Davis said, but were unable to get the man to respond.

When SWAT officers decided to enter the residence about 3:40 a.m., they were able to remove the children to safety and all were found to be unharmed, Davis said.

Police later located Orton inside the house and he was taken to St. Anthony for treatment of a single gunshot wound, which Davis said was the result of the exchange of gunfire with officers.

None of the police officers were injured during the incident.

Orton could be charged with attempted first degree murder, domestic violence and child abuse, Davis said,  and other charges could be filed as the investigation develops.