MESA COUNTY, Colo. — The suspect has been identified in the shooting of a Mesa County sheriff’s deputy who is expected to be taken off life support.
Austin Patrick Holzer, 17, of Grand Junction, initially fled the scene after the assault of Deputy Derek Geer before being arrested, according to the 21st Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team.
Geer, 40, was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital on Monday after being shot multiple times.
Holzer has been charged with second-degree attempted murder and possession of a weapon by a previous offender.
On Tuesday, the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office said Geer is expected to be taken off life support in the next two days.
He is a U.S. Navy veteran who has been with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office since October 2001. He is married with two children, ages 13 and 11.
Anyone with information about Holzer or the incident is asked to call the CIRT Witness Tip line at 970-244-3526.