Laramie, WY – Sheriff’s deputies shot and killed a man after he lunged at them with a knife on Sunday in the parking lot of a Wyoming ski area.

The Albany County Sheriff’s Office reports that a 48-year-old Colorado man, John Alan Britton, died at Snowy Range Ski Area west of Laramie after the encounter with deputies. Deputies and emergency personnel tried lifesaving measures, but Britton succumbed to his injuries at the scene, the office indicates.

According to a news release issued by the Sheriff’s office, deputies received a report Sunday of a suicidal man and, after an extensive search, found Britton in his truck in the upper parking lot of the ski resort. Britton refused to exit his truck and deputies placed the ski area on lockdown. Skiers were asked to remain inside ski area buildings and the Centennial Fire Department EMS waited at the entrance to the ski area.

Britton eventually exited his truck and walked toward deputies who tried to end the situation peacefully, but Britton, armed with a knife, suddenly charged the deputies, the news release stated.

An autopsy was set for this morning in Loveland, Colo. The sheriff’s office called in the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) to investigate the shooting, as is typical after officer-involved shootings. Deputies Matt Donnell, Edward Rosier, Aaron Gallegos and Adam Dean were placed on administrative leave pending the conclusion of the investigation, which is also procedural following officer-involved shootings.