Bodycam Shows Deadly Confrontation at Colorado School Pickup

A routine school pickup in Pueblo West, Colorado, turned into a deadly confrontation after deputies responded to a report of a man opening vehicle doors in the school parking area. The incident happened on February 22, 2022, outside Liberty Point International Middle School, while students were being dismissed.

DEPUTIES RESPOND TO THE SCHOOL

The man was 32-year-old Richard Ward, who was at the school with his mother and her boyfriend to pick up his younger brother. According to court records, Ward had briefly mistaken another white SUV for his mother's vehicle and entered it before realizing his mistake and apologizing. He later returned to his mother's SUV.

Deputies Charles McWhorter and Cassandra Gonzales responded after a 911 call about the incident. McWhorter approached Ward, who was sitting in the back seat of the SUV.

WHAT APPEARED TO BE A CONFUSING SCHOOL-PARKING-LOT INCIDENT QUICKLY ESCALATED INTO A PHYSICAL ENCOUNTER.

THE SITUATION ESCALATES

During the conversation, McWhorter asked Ward about identification and whether he had any weapons. Court records state that Ward said he might have a pocketknife. He also put an anti-anxiety medication pill in his mouth during the encounter.

McWhorter then began physically removing Ward from the vehicle. A struggle followed, and less than 30 seconds later, McWhorter fired three shots, striking Ward in the chest. Ward died at the scene.

THE BODYCAM FOOTAGE CAPTURED THE CRITICAL MOMENTS OF THE STRUGGLE AND THE DEADLY SHOOTING.

THE SHOOTING AT THE SCHOOL

The shooting occurred in the school parking area while students were leaving. Ward's mother was inside the vehicle when the confrontation occurred, and bodycam footage showed her reacting immediately afterward.

Authorities later said the shooting was justified following an investigation by the district attorney's office. Ward's family disputed that conclusion and filed a federal wrongful-death lawsuit, alleging excessive force and other constitutional violations.

THE CASE CONTINUES

The legal dispute continued beyond the initial investigation. In June 2026, a federal appellate court described the shooting in its opinion and addressed the deputies' attempt to claim qualified immunity, allowing parts of the civil-rights litigation to continue.

THE BODYCAM FOOTAGE BECAME A CENTRAL PIECE OF THE PUBLIC AND LEGAL DISCUSSION SURROUNDING THE CASE.

What began during a school pickup ended with a fatal shooting and a lengthy legal battle over the actions of the deputies and the circumstances leading up to the use of deadly force.

SOURCE: Federal court records, Associated Press, CBS Colorado, and KKTV reporting.