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Gunman killed in Colo. Capitol

Authorities don't know the man's name or motive, but said he made threatening statements.

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published July 17, 2007

DENVER - A man carrying a gun and declaring "I am the emperor" was shot and killed Monday outside the offices of Gov. Bill Ritter by a state patrolman, a spokesman said. Ritter was in his office but was not injured.

The unidentified man refused orders to drop his gun, spokesman Evan Dreyer said. Four or five shots were heard, but authorities would not say how many times the patrolman fired.

The gunman did not fire his weapon, police spokesman Sonny Jackson said.

Before he was shot by the member of the governor's security detail, the gunman said, "I am the emperor and I'm here to take over state government," Dreyer said.

The shooting occurred about 2 p.m. in a hall outside the governor's offices on the first floor of the Capitol.

Investigators did not know the man's name or his motive, Jackson said. He declined to discuss the gunman's statement but said it was considered threatening.

The Capitol has no metal detectors. They are usually installed temporarily during the governor's annual State of the State address in January but then are removed.

State Rep. Edward Casso said he saw the gunman after the shooting and described him as being in his 30s or 40s, dressed in a white shirt and dark slacks.

Casso said a state patrolman told him to evacuate, adding, "I started to panic a little bit. I was just hoping that was the end of it."

Authorities roped off the area where the man was shot, and an ambulance and eight police cars converged on the building's north entrance.

An hour after the shooting, state troopers and police - some carrying automatic weapons - ordered the Capitol evacuated and began a room-by-room search. They did not say whether the search was a precaution or whether they had reason to believe someone else was involved.

Security will be stepped up while lawmakers and others discuss any permanent changes, Ritter said. "We live in a country where there is just that constant tension about security vs. openness."

[Last modified July 17, 2007, 00:55:49]