The names of the victims have been released.

*Updated on June 23, 2021, at 12:45 p.m.:

A shooting took place around 1:30 p.m. on Monday, June 21, around 57th Avenue and Olde Wadsworth Boulevard in Olde Town Arvada. One police officer was shot and killed, officials say. A bystander and the suspect were also killed.

Identified as Officer Gordon Beesley, he was a 19-year veteran of the Arvada Police Department. The bystander killed has been identified as John Hurley, 40, of Golden.

In a press conference on Tuesday, Arvada Police Chief Link Strate said that Hurley "likely disrupted what could have been a larger loss of life" and is being praised as a "Samaritan."

Stephen Cohen, manager of the Army Navy Surplus store, has shared an open letter of his account of the shooting posted on Facebook. Read it below:

Strate released very few details on the investigation but noted that the yet-to-be-named suspect had deliberately targeted Beesley.

"While we don’t yet have all the facts, I can tell you that Gordon was targeted because he was wearing an Arvada Police uniform and a badge," Strate said. "Officer Beesley was ambushed by a person who expressed hatred of police officers."

Arvada Mayor Marc Williams said, "Obviously it’s a horribly sad day for Arvada and for the region. There’s been so much of this. You hate to see it happen anywhere, but to see it happen in your community really brings it home."

Governor Jared Polis said in a statement on Monday following the shooting, "My thoughts are with the family and friends of the officer who was tragically killed in the line of duty while swiftly and bravely responding to protect civilians in the area."

A CodeRED had been issued at the time, which told residents and nearby people in the area to shelter in place and call 911 if any suspicious activity was witnessed.

*This is an ongoing story and will be updated accordingly. Refresh for updates!