Bodycam footage of a man armed with a Hatchet and Bear spray getting shot by an officer

On November 16, 2023, at approximately 2134 hours, the Fort Collins Communications Center began receiving 9-1-1 calls from citizens reporting a dark-haired male acting aggressively and causing a disturbance outside a business downtown. It was reported the suspect was armed with a hatchet and bear spray.

When the Fort Collins Police officer arrived on scene, he located the suspect, 28-year-old William Hayes in the alleyway holding pepper spray and a hatchet. The officer gave Hayes multiple commands to drop his weapons, and the suspect did not comply. Hayes began coming toward the officer and the officer used his taser, but Hayes was able to continue advancing. The officer then fired his duty weapon several times striking Hayes. Additional Fort Collins Police officers arrived on scene and began to render medical aid to Hayes. Hayes was transported by ambulance to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased. No community members or officers were injured during this incident.