Friendly Fire Wounds Two Pueblo Officers
Pueblo Police Department findings show two officers were hit by fellow officers' gunfire during an October 10 pursuit.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Law Enforcement
Pueblo Police Department released findings that two officers were wounded by friendly fire on October 10 while responding to a home invasion on Gaylord Avenue and pursuing an armed suspect. Officer Justin Ortiz suffered a graze wound to his ankle, and Officer Jonathon Woehler was shot in both legs.
Why it matters
The findings show officers were injured by fellow officers during a pursuit that ended at Regency Park Apartments, where the suspect was killed. Pueblo Police Chief Chris Noeller said the department will examine tactics, positioning, communication, and decision-making.
The CIRT criminal investigation and the department's Internal Affairs review remain open, with Woehler released from the hospital on October 12. Investigators determined fellow Pueblo officers fired the shots that injured Ortiz and Woehler, while the armed suspect, 36-year-old Luis Morales, was shot and killed during the incident.
The players
Pueblo Police Department
The Pueblo Police Department is the municipal law enforcement agency serving the city of Pueblo, Colorado, and conducted the internal review of the incident.
Chris Noeller
Chris Noeller is the Pueblo Police Chief who said the department will examine tactics, positioning, communication, and decision-making following the incident.
10th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team
The 10th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team is the multi-agency unit that investigates officer-involved shootings in the district, which includes Pueblo.
The details
Officers responded to a home invasion in the 1600 block of Gaylord Avenue, then pursued the armed suspect to Regency Park Apartments in the 0-100 block of Regency Boulevard, where the shooting occurred. After interviewing all involved officers, investigators determined the friendly fire origin of the injuries, and a firearm was recovered at the scene.
Timeline
October 10: Officer-involved shooting occurred during the home invasion pursuit in Pueblo.
October 12: Officer Woehler was released from the hospital.
Legal Context
Pueblo's shooting is being handled through the 10th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team, which runs a criminal investigation separate from the department's Internal Affairs review. Friendly-fire incidents during pursuits are reviewed through this dual process to determine whether tactics, communication, or positioning contributed to the injuries.
Residents of Pueblo may see changes to police training, equipment, and procedures once the reviews are complete. The findings will help guide potential changes to how officers coordinate during pursuits and home invasion responses.
The takeaway
Friendly-fire injuries during high-pressure pursuits point to coordination gaps that training and communication changes are meant to close. Pueblo residents should watch for the department's completed findings.
What happens next
The department plans to provide additional information when the CIRT and Internal Affairs reviews are completed, though no date has been set.
Further reading
For more on how local agencies handle these cases, see Law Enforcement coverage for Pueblo.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Officer.
