(EL PASO COUNTY, Colo.) — The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO) has arrested a suspect after he allegedly charged law enforcement and hit a patrol car earlier this week.
Around 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 12, the EPSO Regional Communications Center received a call from someone who said they had been assaulted in their home on Buffalo Horn Drive in unincorporated El Paso County, near South Powers Boulevard. EPSO deputies responded to the call and identified 32-year-old Tyler Babb as the suspect, then issued an attempt-to-locate alert to other local law enforcement agencies.
It was the victim who called EPSO back the same evening at 11:15 p.m., informing them Babb’s phone location showed that he was near the house. Deputies instructed the victim to leave the home while they immediately returned to the location with Fountain Police Department (FPD) officers assisting.
Upon arrival, EPSO deputies found Babb entering the garage in his car, closing the door behind him. EPSO closed off the garage with their vehicles to prevent Babb from leaving.
According to an EPSO statement, deputies and officers heard Babb’s car’s engine revving and were told by the victim that he had sent them a message stating he was “going to kill himself by CO2 poisoning.”
Deputies and FPD officers entered the house through the open front door to access the interior garage door. Babb left his vehicle and reportedly charged them, forcing authorities to use less-lethal pepper ball rounds.
Babb retreated back into his car, where he attempted to drive away, striking an EPSO patrol vehicle. Babb left his car again and was taken into custody.
After being treated for his injuries and cleared by a hospital check, he was booked into the El Paso County Jail on several charges, including Third-Degree Assault, Menacing, and Harassment.
“This was an extremely dangerous situation for the victim, my deputies, and the surrounding neighbors. The suspect’s repeated threats and violent actions demonstrate he has no place on the streets of our community. I am proud of the rapid and coordinated response by our deputies and the assisting officers from the Fountain Police Department, which prevented this incident from escalating further,” said El Paso County Sheriff Joe Roybal.
Babb was released with a PR Bond on Wednesday, Aug. 13.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, help is available. Call or text 988 to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline; this service provides 24/7 confidential support for anyone in crisis or emotional distress.
