ALAMOSA — The Alamosa County Coroner’s Office officially identified Ernesto Michel, 47, as the Alamosa man who died following an officer-involved shooting in Alamosa on February 28.

Alamosa police officers were dispatched to the 1400 block of West 11th Street just before 10 p.m. that night on a threat call when Michel, armed with multiple deadly weapons, allegedly threatened the responding officers. After several attempts to disarm Michel using less lethal force, the armed suspect charged the officers, resulting in shots being fired by officers.

Michel was pronounced dead at the scene after receiving lifesaving efforts by emergency personnel. No Alamosa police officers were injured during the incident.  

Per Alamosa Police Department policy, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was requested to investigate the incident. Two of the officers involved in the incident remain on administrative leave per policy.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Michel had had a history of similar confrontations with authorities over the years. For example in December 2012 Michel grasped at a sheriff’s deputy’s gun holster and yelled at the deputy to shoot him, according to the official report of the incident. He also allegedly threatened to kill the deputy during that confrontation.

Since that time he had been cited multiple times with resisting police officers, disturbing the peace and criminal mischief.

In addition, about nine years ago he was charged with second-degree murder involving the death of William Padgett, 59, who died as a result of a pulmonary embolism from injuries allegedly inflicted during a fight with Michel over a card game.