A sheriff's deputy was killed and four others were wounded Sunday in a shooting in suburban Denver that capped a year of deadly attacks in the United States.

Two civilians were also injured.

The shooting happened after deputies were called to the scene of a domestic disturbance in Highlands Ranch, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office said on Twitter.


The suspected gunman was also shot and is believed to be dead and "no longer a threat".

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Shots were fired in the course of the investigation at the Copper Canyon Apartments, a landscaped complex 28km south of Denver, the sheriff's office said. Residents in the vicinity were advised to stay inside and avoid exterior walls and windows.

An investigator heads to the scene of the shooting. Authorities say one deputy has died and multiple others were wounded, along with two civilians. Photo / AP
An investigator heads to the scene of the shooting. Authorities say one deputy has died and multiple others were wounded, along with two civilians. Photo / AP

A hospital where three people were taken for treatment says those people suffered noncritical injuries.

Another nearby hospital said it received four patients but wouldn't release their conditions.

The shooting occurred on the final day of a year that saw the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history in Las Vegas.