Update:
On Saturday, May 14, 2022, an arrest warrant was obtained for the suspect, identified as 31-year-old Colorado Springs resident Osemeke Uwadibie. Mr. Uwadibie has since been booked into the El Paso County Jail on the charge of murder in the first degree.
On Monday, May 16, 2022, The El Paso County Coroner’s Office conducted an autopsy on the male homicide victim. The male victim has been identified as 59-year-old Colorado Springs resident Charles Slabaugh. Mr. Slabaugh’s death was ruled a homicide by multiple sharp force injuries. Mr. Slabaugh’ s death is the 19th homicide investigation in the City of Colorado Springs in 2022. At this time last year, the CSPD investigated 17 homicides.
During the follow up investigation conducted by CSPD’s Major Crash Unit it was determined that Mr. Uwadibie stole a police car and fled south on I-25. While fleeing from officers Mr. Uwadibie struck four different citizen vehicles causing damage to those cars. The stolen police cruiser was damaged when Mr. Uwadibie struck the victims’ vehicles and ultimately came to rest in the center median near I-25 and south Academy Blvd. As a result of the multiple traffic crashes there were four people, two adults and two juveniles, who suffered minor injuries. Charges regarding this portion of the incident are pending.
This is still an active investigation, as such a picture of Mr. Uwadibie will not be released at this time. Anyone with information or who is a witness to this investigation is asked to call the Colorado Springs Police Department at (719) 444-7000; or if you wish to remain anonymous, you may call the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at (719) 634-STOP (7867) or 1-800-222-8477.
Previous Blotter Release:
On Friday, May 13, 2022, at approximately 9:50 PM, the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) Communications Center received a report of a weapon display in the 200 block of E. Arvada St. The reporting party indicated that a male had approached them in a parking lot and asked for a ride. The reporting party refused to give the male a ride and the male grabbed the reporting party and pulled out a knife. The reporting party was able to break away from the male suspect and a call was made to 911.
Officers with the CSPD were dispatched to the weapons display, while the officers were en route to the scene, the male suspect made his way into an apartment where a homicide occurred. The male then left that apartment and confronted the first arriving officer. The suspect assaulted the officer at which time, the officer fired their duty weapon at least one time at the suspect. The suspect was able to get into the officer's marked patrol vehicle and took off south down E. Arvada St. and then onto southbound I-25.
Other CSPD officers began pursuing the suspect. The suspect crashed the stolen police car into multiple vehicles, which disabled the car on southbound I-25 near S. Academy Blvd. CSPD officers were then able to take the suspect into custody. The suspect was transported to a local hospital, where he is being treated.
CSPD’s Violent Crime Section will take over the investigation into the homicide as well as LDFIT. CSPD’s Major Crash Team will be handling the investigation into the multiple crashes.
In accordance with Colorado Revised Statute 16-2.5-301, the El Paso County Sheriff's Office is the DFIT for the officer-involved shooting portion. This is an ongoing investigation and information will be released as appropriate. All updates related to the officer-involved shooting, except for naming the involved officer, will come from the El Paso County Sheriff's Office. The CSPD officer involved in the shooting suffered minor injuries and is on administrative leave per our department policy