Brighton Police Department is investigating an incident that occurred on Aug. 30 where an officer was injured while attempting to contact an individual wanted for burglary. The officer’s injuries are minor and the suspect is in custody.

At 5:17 p.m. officers were dispatched to a burglary that had just occurred in the 300 block of North 7th Avenue. Upon arrival, officers learned that the victim arrived home to find an unknown male inside. The victim was able to provide police with a description of the suspect, stating he was armed with a metal pipe.

Officers quickly surrounded the area and saw the male entering a yard in the 400 block of North 7th Avenue. The residents at this home positively identified the suspect as 34-year-old Matthew Lucero, and stated he went into the shed in the backyard.

Additional resources from neighboring jurisdictions were called to assist. After refusing to exit the shed for nearly an hour, the suspect appeared with a hatchet and a sledge hammer. He climbed on top of a nearby fence and threw the hatchet toward a Brighton Police Officer’s face, striking his forearm.

The suspect then threw the sledge hammer at the same Brighton Police Officer. The officer jumped out of the way before being struck. Officers used a less lethal bean bag to shoot the suspect, who reverted into the shed. After several minutes, the suspect exited and was taken into custody.

He was arrested and booked into Adams County jail on multiple charges including attempted murder of a peace officer, first degree burglary and more. Under Colorado laws, the arrest and filing of a criminal charge is merely a formal accusation that an individual committed a crime. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

This investigation remains ongoing and is still in the early stages. Anyone who witnessed this incident or has further information is requested to call our Tip Line at 303-655-8740, reference Case Number 23-4943.

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