Two Colorado State Patrol troopers were shot and injured during a traffic stop near Woodland Park on Tuesday morning, August 25, 2026, triggering a major law-enforcement response and a search for the armed suspect. The suspect was later shot and killed during a confrontation with deputies at a home in Woodland Park.
The incident began at approximately 7:15 a.m. on U.S. Highway 24 near Piney Point Lane, southwest of Woodland Park in Teller County. According to Colorado State Patrol, a trooper conducting a traffic stop was fired upon by the suspect. A second trooper who arrived in response was also shot as the suspect opened fire on his patrol vehicle.
The wounded officers were identified as Trooper Clark Tinan and Trooper Skylar Hoehn. Tinan, who has served with Colorado State Patrol for about 10 years, suffered minor injuries and was released from the hospital Tuesday evening. Hoehn, a 15-year veteran of the agency, sustained serious injuries and remained hospitalized, although officials said he was doing well.
Following the shooting, the suspect abandoned his vehicle and was believed to have fled on foot. Authorities issued a shelter-in-place order for nearby communities, including the Westwood Lakes area, as multiple law-enforcement agencies searched for him. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation also issued a public alert describing the suspect as armed and dangerous.
The search ended after authorities received information that a person matching the suspect’s description was working as a contractor at a residence. Deputies responded to the home, where officials said the suspect opened fire. A deputy returned fire, striking him. The suspect was transported to UCHealth Pikes Peak Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at approximately noon.
The Teller County Coroner’s Office later identified the suspect as 51-year-old Robert Rudolf Richards Jr. of Loveland. Authorities have not publicly established what prompted the original traffic stop or what led to the shooting.
The incident brought a large emergency response to the Woodland Park area, with Colorado State Patrol, Teller County Sheriff’s deputies, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and other agencies participating in the response. The shelter-in-place order was eventually lifted after the suspect was located and the immediate threat had ended.
The shooting has left the Colorado law-enforcement community concerned for the injured troopers while investigators continue examining the circumstances surrounding the attack and the subsequent officer-involved shooting that killed Richards.
For Trooper Tinan and Trooper Hoehn’s colleagues, the incident has underscored the dangers officers face during routine traffic stops. Their agency has said Tinan is recovering after his release, while Hoehn continues to receive medical treatment.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are expected to examine evidence from both the Highway 24 shooting and the later confrontation in Woodland Park. Officials have not indicated a confirmed motive.
The Woodland Park community is now recovering from the large police response while the injured troopers, their families and fellow officers continue to deal with the aftermath of the violence.
This is a developing investigation, and additional details may be released as authorities complete their inquiries.
