Man killed in Pueblo officer-involved shooting identified by family Saturday

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) – Although he has not yet been officially identified by authorities, the family of 34-year-old Ronald Ray Valdez confirmed to KRDO 13 Saturday that he was the man shot and killed by police officers Wednesday evening.

Police details: Around 7:45 p.m., they responded to a report of an armed man in the parking lot of a Popeye restaurant near the intersection of US 50 and Outlook Boulevard; police found the man in a vehicle and asked him to show his hands; he refused to do so and then began firing a gun at the police, who returned fire; Valdez died at the scene and no officers were injured.

An unknown number of officers involved in the shooting are on administrative leave pending an investigation.

The Rev. Paul Montoya, a community pastor known for helping homeless people, said the Valdez family asked him to lead a vigil Saturday night.

“I didn’t know Ron personally, but I know his sisters,” he said. “They are truly a wonderful family. They have already brought donations to my house because they know I help the homeless community. I have met the sisters several times, and it doesn't seem (the incident) That was actually what Ronnie was but I really don't know what happened. I'm just here to help the family and comfort them for the funeral too.

Unfortunately, this isn't the first time Montoya has performed such a favor.

“That evening, within 20 minutes, there was a shooting on the East Side,” he recalls. “I could hear the gunshots. I'm starting to get used to it. We need to start paying a little more attention to each other. I know it's hard to be a police officer right now – they're short-staffed and we can't be everywhere at once But it's difficult for families when they don't have answers, they feel like no one is doing anything. But there is a process that must be followed. the end. “.