ELBERT COUNTY, Colo. — A suspect was shot after he opened fire Tuesday morning on police officers — hitting the vest of an Elbert County deputy — who were attempting to serve a search warrant in Elizabeth, authorities said.

A protective order was issued for the area shortly after 9 a.m. and was lifted around 11:30 a.m

The deputy suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene. Jeffery R. Engel, chief of the Elizabeth Police Department, said the suspect is dead.

Watch the full press conference with Police Chief Engel and the Elbert County Sheriff in the video below.

The Elbert County deputy suffered minor injuries after shooting a suspect

This incident began around 9 a.m. when the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team, acting on behalf of the Elizabeth Police Department, served a search warrant at a residence at 175 E. Spruce Street. Engel said police believe the suspect had evidence in the apartment.

“While serving the search warrant, there was an exchange of gunfire between the officers and the resident of the apartment,” Engel said.

Elbert County Sheriff Tim Norton said as police surrounded the building and approached the unit’s door, a person opened the door and “shots were fired.”

One officer was hit in the soft part of his ballistic vest, he said. He suffered minor injuries and was examined by medical staff at the scene.

Police contacted the Douglas County Regional SWAT Team to assist.

In the meantime, some surrounding residential units were evacuated and a curfew was imposed. Officers attempted to deploy tear gas into the unit where the suspect was located.

Sheriff Norton said when additional resources arrived, they were able to look inside and found a dead man on the ground. He was the only person in the unit. He was not identified.

The deputy with the minor injuries was a very experienced member of the team, “very strong” and “level-headed,” the sheriff said. After his ballistic vest was hit, he remained at the scene until additional resources arrived, then he was evaluated, Sheriff Norton said.

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Elizabeth Fire Rescue said the public should expect police activity on S. Elbert Street, which is now closed between Highway 86 and East Maple, while the investigation continues.

The Elizabeth School District is on fall break this week, so no local schools are affected by the shooting.

Elizabeth is a small town on Highway 86 about 13 miles east of Castle Rock.

Denver7 has a team on site to learn more.

This is a developing story and will be updated.