The incident happened around 8:30 p.m. Monday in a quiet westside Loveland neighborhood. Miles Blumhardt, milesblumhardt@coloradoan.com
The Larimer County Coroner’s Office on Wednesday identified the two people who died in a quiet west Loveland neighborhood where police were investigating a potential homicide.
They have been identified as Samuel Harding, 60, and Tammy Pierce, 59, who were in a long-term relationship and lived together in their Loveland home, according to the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office. Manner and cause of death will be released at a later date.
The officer left the scene, and the Loveland Police Department SWAT Team responded to the home at 8:30 p.m.
When they entered the home, they encountered an adult female suspect who was armed with a firearm. The suspect, identified by police as Pierce, refused multiple commands, according to information provided Wednesday by the sheriff’s office. Gunfire was exchanged, resulting in Pierce’s death and a minor injury to a police officer, according to the sheriff’s office.
“Preliminary findings suggest the suspect fired at officers, striking one of them in the ballistic helmet, after which multiple officers returned fire,” according to the sheriff’s office.
The SWAT members who fired their weapons were placed on paid administrative leave, which is Loveland Police Department policy, according to the sheriff’s office.
The officers involved in the shooting of the suspect have not yet been identified to the public. Ben Hurr, Loveland police public information officer, said it will not release any name or names until possibly Friday.
Property records show the couple own a home at 3376 Cuchara Court in Loveland, the street where officers were called Monday night.
Records also show the two may have endured a strained relationship. Pierce filed for a protection order against Harding in Larimer County in August 2007.
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The Eighth Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team, or CIRT, is handling the investigations of Harding’s death and the officer-involved shooting, with the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office serving as the lead investigating agency.
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Miles Blumhardt looks for stories that impact your life — be it news, outdoors, sports, you name it he wants to report it. Have a story idea, send it his way. Email him at milesblumhardt@coloradoan.com or find him on Twitter at @MilesBlumhardt.
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