Lakewood police name Agent Nicholas Graham, 33, as the officer killed in a shootout on an RTD bus
A Lakewood police agent died and three others were wounded Thursday evening when a man they approached on an RTD bus opened fire. The suspect was killed when officers shot back, and an outside team is investigating.
Key takeaways
- Agent Nicholas Allen Graham, 33, joined the Lakewood Police Department in January 2019.
- The shooting happened about 6:30 p.m. on November 5, 2026 near West Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard.
- Three agents and one bus passenger were hurt; the 34-year-old suspect was killed.
Lakewood police on Friday, November 6, identified the agent killed in a shootout on a Regional Transportation District bus the night before as Nicholas Allen Graham, 33, The Colorado Sun reported. Three other Lakewood agents were wounded. Lakewood uses the title agent for its sworn officers.
What happened on the bus?
Officers went to the area of West Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard at about 6:30 p.m. Thursday, November 5. According to police, a man linked to a hit-and-run earlier that day near Kipling Street and West 13th Avenue boarded an RTD-contracted bus on Route 76, Denver7 reported. When agents made contact with him, he started shooting. Agents returned fire and killed him.
Police described the suspect as a 34-year-old man and said they would not release his name until his family was notified, according to the Sun. One passenger on the bus was also hurt; the extent of that person's injuries has not been released.
How are the wounded agents?
On Thursday night police said the three agents had injuries ranging from serious to critical but were stable, the Sun reported. By Friday afternoon, a department spokesman told the Sun that two had been released from the hospital and one remained hospitalized.
Who was Agent Graham?
Police Chief Philip Smith said Graham became a field training agent in 2023 and later joined the major crimes team, where he carried more than 320 cases, the largest caseload on that team. His father recently retired from policing and his mother worked in a crime lab, the chief said. Smith said Graham's life "was taken in an act of violence," according to Denver7. Gov. Jared Polis said he was heartbroken, the Sun reported.
What happens next
The First Judicial District's Critical Incident Response Team is investigating the shooting, which the department called standard protocol, Denver7 reported. RTD said it will cooperate with investigators. Funeral details had not been announced as of Friday; the chief said they would come in the following days.
Sources
- The Colorado Sun, “Lakewood police identify officer who died in shoot-out on RTD bus,” November 6, 2026
- The Colorado Sun, “One Lakewood police officer killed, three others wounded in shootout with suspect on RTD bus,” November 5, 2026
- Denver7, “Lakewood agent killed in shooting on RTD bus identified; 3 other agents injured,” November 6, 2026
Written by Action Global News from the sources above; quotations are attributed to the outlet that published them. See our editorial standards and corrections policy.
Frequently asked
Who was the Lakewood officer killed on the RTD bus?
Police identified him as Agent Nicholas Allen Graham, 33, who joined the Lakewood Police Department in January 2019.
Who is investigating the Lakewood RTD bus shooting?
The First Judicial District's Critical Incident Response Team, according to Denver7.