2 people shot, Denver police officer hit by firetruck during Nuggets NBA championship parade

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Denver police officer seriously injured by firetruck during Nuggets NBA championship parade

The officer sustained a limb-threatening injury when a firetruck rolled on the back of his leg, authorities said. (Credit: Davina Garduno)

Two people were shot Thursday at the end of a parade and rally to celebrate the Denver Nuggets first NBA championship, and a police officer was struck by a firetruck in a separate incident at the event, authorities said. 

The shooting occurred after the parade and festivities at Curtis Street and 17th Street, the Denver Police Department said. Two victims were found. 

A gunman shot two males in a targeted incident, Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas told reporters during a news conference. 

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Fans pack Civic Center Park during a rally and parade to mark the Denver Nuggets first NBA basketball championship Thursday. A police officer was struck by a firetruck and two people were injured by gunfire at the end of the victory parade, authorities said.  (AP)

Investigators believe the shooting was not related to the event. Authorities have an image of a suspect, who remains unidentified and was not in police custody, officials said. 

In a separate incident that occurred an hour prior to the shooting, Denver SWAT Sgt. Justin Dodger was struck by a fire truck transporting several Nugget players near the end of the victory parade route at West 13th Ave. and Cherokee Street. 

Thomas told reporters the officer was trying to protect event-goers who made their way in front of the fire truck.

The officer "had to step kind of closer to the vehicle and the fire truck began to roll up the back of his left leg, trapping him underneath the vehicle," he said.

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic celebrates during a rally and parade to mark the team's first NBA basketball championship on Thursday. (AP)

The officer was rescued from underneath the truck and was taken to a hospital with a lower leg injury. He remains in serious, but stable condition, and was undergoing surgery, police said. 

The truck was carrying Nuggets players Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, as well as the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy, FOX 31 reported. They were moved to another truck to take them the last few blocks of the parade route. 

A physician with Denver Health said the officer's injury was limb-threatening. The two shooting victims were in serious condition, he said. 

Thomas said the downtown area was safe but that "unfortunately, there are still too many guns" on the streets," resulting in more shootings. 

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock said Thursday's festivities went as planned aside from the shooting, which occurred afterward. 

Denver Police Sgt. Justin Dodge was seriously injured by a firetruck during the Denver Nuggets NBA Finals victory parade.  (Denver Police Department)

"Shame on them for once again marring what had been otherwise a pretty successful event for the entire state of Colorado," he said of the gunman. 

Thursday's events brought out thousands to celebrate the Denver Nuggets' first NBA championship, in which the franchise defeated the Miami Heat in five games. 

The team was led by Jokic, who was named the NBA Finals MVP. Following the championship win Monday, violence broke out in Denver, leaving 10 people injured. 

During the news conference, Thomas was questioned about how someone could open fire in a crowded area with a large police presence.

Nine people were injured Tuesday in when shots rang out after the Denver Nuggets won the NBA title against the Miami Heat. (KCNC)

"This just speaks to the fact that individuals now in our community are emboldened to act in an irresponsible way regardless of who's watching," he said. 

Hancock said upwards of one million people attended Thursday's parade and rally. 

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Denver came to the NBA after the merger with the ABA. The team had only been in one Finals overall — coming in 1976 in the ABA. The team lost to the New York Nets in six games.