Shot Littleton Officer ID'd, Recovering In ICU; Suspect At Large

LITTLETON, CO — The Littleton Police Department has identified the officer shot early Tuesday morning as Officer David Snook, a 13-year veteran of the department.

Snook is currently recovering in the Swedish Hospital ICU after he was shot "more than three times," Littleton Police Chief Doug Stephens said in a press conference Wednesday night. He is a husband and a father to three young children.

In addition to Snook, Corporal Jeff Farmer, a 15-year veteran of the department, suffered "significant injury to his knee" during the shooting, Stephens said, and is recovering at his home. Farmer is also a husband and father.

The department has not yet released photos of Snook or Stephens, at their requests.

Read more: Suspect Remains At Large After Littleton Officer Shot

Snook and Stephens were responding to a report of shots fired in the area of Bannock Street and West Powers Avenue. When they arrived, two suspects fled and the officers began pursuing them, Stephens said.

One of the suspects entered the apartment building at 183 West Powers Avenue, at which point he turned and shot Snook several times with a handgun.

Snook was "gravely wounded" but returned fire, Stephens said.

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Farmer pulled Snook out of the line of fire and into a safer position, Stephens said. A third officer arrived to transport Snook to the hospital, and in the process, the suspect escaped and has not yet been located, Stephens said.

That suspect has been identified as 33-year-old Rigoberto Valles Dominguez, who is considered to be "armed and dangerous" and is believed to have been involved in a carjacking that took place a few blocks away from the shooting scene several hours after the incident, Stephens said.

Dominguez is a 5'5", 190-pound Hispanic male with brown eyes and short brown hair, Stephens said. He has a skull tattoo on his right forearm and a saint tattoo on his left forearm.

The car taken is a sand gray 2002 Ford Explorer with Colorado plate AGM-D94.

Anyone who sees Dominguez or knows of his whereabouts should not attempt to contact him, Stephens said, but should call Metro CrimeStoppers at (720) 913-7867.

A fund for Snook and his family has been created at the Rocky Mountain Law Enforcement Credit Union, Stephens said. Donations can be made in Snook's name.

"I want to thank the staff of Swedish Hospital for their heroic work in treating Officer Snook," Stephens said. "They are true heroes in what they do and we are eternally grateful."