ALAMOSA — A shooting in the vicinity of 8th and Denver in Alamosa on Wednesday led to the victim being flown to a Front Range hospital in critical condition and felony charges being filed on a suspect who was taken into custody and is now in the Alamosa County Detention Center. 

According to the Alamosa Police Department (APD), on May 7 at approximately 12:24 p.m., APD was notified of a shooting that occurred in the 200 block of 8th Street. 

First on the scene was Sheriff Robert Jackson with the Alamosa County Sheriff’s Office, who happened to be in the area. Jackson discovered a male victim with a gunshot wound who was conscious and able to speak. Within moments, two additional officers arrived.  

Jackson, APD Sergeant Tate Kindschuch, and ASO Lieutenant William Squires subsequently apprehended a suspect and took him into custody without resistance. Detectives are currently interviewing multiple identified witnesses. 

The suspect, Daniel Barela, 60, of Alamosa, was also hospitalized, then released into law enforcement custody. Following an interview, Barela was transported to the Alamosa County Jail. 

Barela is being charged with Criminal Attempt - 2nd Degree Murder, a class 3 felony; 1st Degree Assault, also a class 3 felony; Robbery, a class 4 felony, and Reckless Endangerment, a class 2 misdemeanor. 

The motive for the shooting remains under investigation, and charges may be amended. However, authorities have confirmed this was an isolated event and it poses no ongoing threat to public safety. 

In their press release, APD stated there was assistance from the Alamosa County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado State Patrol and the Adams State University Police Department.  

Wednesday night, city council held a regularly scheduled meeting, which included passing a proclamation declaring the week of May 12 as “Police Week” and May 15 as “Peace Officers Memorial Day”.  

APD Chief George Dingfelder was standing at the podium along with APD Sergeant Tate Kindshuch, ASO Sheriff Robert Jackson and ASO Lieutenant William Squires, all three of whom were the first law enforcement officers on the scene of the shooting earlier in the day. 

After Councilor Krebs read the proclamation, APD Chief George Dingfelder addressed council. 

“I’ve been doing this job for 37 years and it’s the best job in the world. That’s why I can’t stay retired. But what makes it so good is days like today,” he said. “We had a critical incident in Alamosa and, when everyone else was running away, these three – Sheriff Jackson, Lieutenant Squires and Sergeant Kindschuch – went running toward the gunfire.  

“I specifically want to emphasize that the reason this incident was resolved so quickly and the guy was taken into custody is because of these guys – especially Sheriff Jackson, who was first on the scene. He may have been doing the job for a few years, but he was the first one there and didn’t hesitate. 

“So, thank you all for the recognition and next week, May 14, we’re having the memorial. I hope members of the public come and join us. We’ll have the memorial and then some food afterwards. So, thank you very much.” 

Sheriff Robert Jackson then took the podium. “I’ve been in law enforcement for the city and county for 41 yrs. It’s been an honor to serve you all,” he said. “Today I didn’t even dare tell my wife what I did, but I want to say these guys were heroes, as far as I’m concerned. They put themselves in grave danger. Kudos to them.  

“I hope the public comes to the event on the 14h. It’s important. We read the names of those who have fallen and, thank goodness, we haven’t lost an officer since 1973. So, lets keep up the good work.” 

KIndschuch and Squires were both asked if they had anything they wanted to say but declined. 

The audience honored the law enforcement officers with a standing ovation.