Thread: Denver Police Officer Celena Hollis, Shot/Killed at City Park Festival - EOW 06-24-12

9NEWS - DENVER, CO 06-25-12 - A Denver Police officer was shot and killed at the City Park Jazz Fest Sunday night.

Police say the shooting happened during a fight between two groups which police attempted to break up. Police say the officer was off-duty.

The officer, later identified as 32-year-old Celena Hollis, was shot in the head.

Denver Police Chief Robert White says they do have a person in custody but stopped short of calling that person the shooter.

The shooting occurred shortly after the Jazz in the Park concert series ended around 8 p.m. Hundreds attended the event, including families and children. Mayor Hancock's wife and child also attended.

A 9NEWS employee, attending the concert, heard the shooting and saw several people run towards the south side of the park.

Police say Hollis was a single mother and had been with the department since 2005. She had helped with the Jazz in the Park concert series for several years. Police say Hollis was president of the Denver Black Police Officers Association.

Witnesses told 9NEWS an ambulance was on scene within five minutes and transported Hollis to Denver Health.

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock and Denver Police Chief Robert White made a statement outside Denver Health Sunday night.

They called Hollis dedicated and a leader in the department. Mayor Hancock says the city will come together.

"We will put our arms around this family and this child, and make sure they know there is a city that absolutely loves them," Hancock said.

Police were seen searching a Dumpster near a lake Sunday night.