A 65-year-old Durango man has been identified as the person shot and killed Wednesday in an incident that closed U.S. Highway 160 between Pagosa Springs and Bayfield for nearly 15 hours.
According to a Saturday news release from the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office, the man’s identity would not be released until his next of kin are notified. Authorities were still unable to identify the man Sunday morning.
In a statement by Archuleta County Coroner Dan Keuning, the time of death was recorded at 10:45 p.m. Aug. 23, and the pronouncement of death was made at 9:25 a.m. the next day.
An autopsy performed Aug. 25 found the official cause of death to be “homicide due to multiple gunshot wounds to the chest,” Keuning said. It was unclear Sunday if charges have been filed in connection with the incident.
Authorities previously released a statement that indicated an Archuleta County man said he shot and killed an intruder on his neighbor’s property. The man said the intruder attacked him with a knife when he approached to question him about his identity and the reason for visiting the property.
The shooting was reported at 10:47 p.m. Wednesday and forced the closure of U.S. Highway 160 in the area until about 1:30 p.m. Thursday as investigators preserved the scene until the Colorado Bureau of Investigations arrived.
jromeo@durangoherald.com
