Man sentenced to 64 years in prison for shooting police officers during a chase

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colorado – A man was sentenced to 64 years in prison Friday for shooting at police officers during a chase from Thornton to Castle Rock, the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office announced.

Kyle Williamson, 33, pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree assault.

Williamson was on parole at the time of the incident. He was convicted of attempted sexual assault and child abuse causing serious bodily harm in 2011 and was due to be released on parole in 2022.

According to prosecutors, Thornton police attempted to stop a Chevrolet Silverado that was spray-painted and had license plates for another truck. The truck was carrying Williamson and his wife, Hannah Woolard. The truck did not stop and a police chase ensued.

During the chase, Williamson leaned out the driver's side window and fired multiple shots at officers, prosecutors said. Thornton officers followed the truck but called off the pursuit near Interstate 25 and Ridgegate Parkway, where officers from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office took over the pursuit.

Officers tried unsuccessfully to stop the truck with a tire pressure reducer. Williamson then drove across a sidewalk and through a park before crashing into a 7-Eleven in Castle Rock. No one was injured in the accident.

1 person shot by police officers, 1 person in custody, truck crashes into 7-Eleven branch in Castle Rock on Wednesday morning

After the accident, according to prosecutors, Williamson “ignored multiple requests to put his hands up and pointed a gun at a deputy.” Two deputies opened fire and Williamson was hit multiple times. Woolard was not hit.

“This case highlights the inherently dangerous work our law enforcement partners do during traffic stops,” Assistant District Attorney Jake Adkins said in a statement. “This defendant was only concerned with getting away that night and showed no regard for the safety of the public or officers.”

Williamson was sentenced to 16 years in prison for each count of assault, to be served consecutively, and must also spend three years on probation.

“Kyle Williamson's reckless actions have put countless lives in danger, and today's agreement ensures he will be held accountable for his actions,” Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly said in a statement. “I want to personally express my gratitude to my brave deputies who risked their lives to end Williamson's crime spree. This is a testament to their courage and commitment to keeping Douglas County safe.”

Woolard pleaded guilty earlier this year to aiding and abetting a crime (a Class 4 felony), prosecutors said. She was sentenced to three years' probation on August 5.

The officer-involved shooting was investigated by the 18th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT). Investigators found that the officers' use of force was justified.