Boulder man may be armed; sheriff’s deputy sidelined during search with heat stroke
This morning, July 23, 2012 at approximately 9:50 a.m., deputies were dispatched to the area of Lefthand Canyon to look for a reported missing/suicidal person out of the City of Boulder.  The 20 year-old male hadn’t been heard from since yesterday (July 22, 2012) afternoon, so family members contacted the Boulder Police to report him missing.  They indicated recently he had been despondent and in his last message told them his vehicle was parked in Lefthand Canyon.
Initially, when deputies arrived in the area they located the missing person’s vehicle and observed somebody matching his description running from the vehicle.  In checking the vehicle they found items that indicated he might be armed with a firearm and for this reason additional resources were requested, which included members of the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team and Sheriff’s K-9 teams.
A search of the area was conducted and the missing person has not been found.  The search for the missing person will continue as long as there is enough light to search safely.  The sheriff’s office will reevaluate tomorrow whether to continue the search based on the information obtained from today’s search.
Also assisting the Sheriff’s office were members of Rocky Mountain Rescue Group, Lefthand Fire Protection District, Boulder Mountain Fire Protection District, Boulder Emergency Squad, Ward Town Marshal’s Office and American Medical Response Ambulance Service.
Initially, as a precautionary measure Lefthand Canyon Drive was closed to traffic from the 900 block of Lefthand Canyon to James Canyon for approximately four hours.  Lefthand Canyon drive has been reopened to normal vehicle and bicycle traffic, although teams remain in the area searching.
During the search, a deputy with the Sheriff’s Office was evacuated with assistance from members of the Rocky Mountain Rescue Group, after he suffered complications from the heat.  He was transported to Boulder Community Hospital where he is currently being treated.