04/21/2026
///FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE///
AULT, CO - On April 20, 2026, at approximately 7:26 p.m., officers from the Ault Police Department were dispatched to Wagon Wheel Park, located at 350 Conestoga Drive, in reference to a reported shooting. Upon arrival, officers located an 18-year-old male suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg. The victim was provided medical aid and transported for further treatment. He is expected to survive his injuries.
Multiple witnesses at the scene provided officers with a description of the suspect involved. An extensive search of the surrounding area was immediately initiated. Approximately 20 law enforcement officers from seven assisting agencies responded to support the operation. Drones and a K9 team were deployed to aid in the search efforts.
Through coordinated investigative work, officers identified the suspect as 15-year-old male from Ault, who was later located at his residence in the area. The juvenile suspect was taken into custody without further incident and booked into the Platte Valley Youth Detention Center in Greeley. A search warrant was executed at the residence as part of the ongoing investigation.
Due to the age of the suspect, his name and information will not be released. Motive for the shooting is not known at this time, but it is believed that this was not a random encounter.
This case remains under investigation. We are asking that if you have information on this case and have not spoken with investigators, please contact Officer Penhale at 970-834-1336.
The Ault Police Department would like to thank the Eaton Police Department, Nunn Police Department, Greeley Police Department, Windsor Police Department, Severance Police Department, the Weld County Sheriff’s Office, the Ault-Pierce Fire Department, AMR Weld County, and the community for their cooperation and rapid response.