WELD COUNTY, CO — A long-standing neighbor dispute turned deadly in the early morning hours of December 3 when a suspected home intruder was fatally shot by a resident in the Hill-N-Park neighborhood of Weld County.

According to the Weld County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded at approximately 1:21 a.m. to a report of a shooting in the 4200 block of Grand Teton Road. When they arrived, they encountered the resident who reported the shooting and was also identified as the victim.

The resident told investigators that the suspect, a neighbor with whom he had an ongoing conflict, forcibly entered his home by kicking in the door. The suspect reportedly had an object in his hand when he entered, prompting a physical struggle between the two men. During the altercation, the resident shot the suspect.

Both individuals sustained injuries and were transported to a local hospital. The suspect was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The resident remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition.

When faced with a violent home invasion, the law generally allows the use of deadly force if the resident reasonably believes it is necessary to prevent death or serious bodily harm. This case is a stark reminder of the importance of situational awareness and the unpredictable nature of personal conflicts that escalate into violence.