Jury deliberating in trial of Pueblo man accused of shooting sheriff's deputies

A Pueblo County jury began deliberations Friday in the trial of a man who shot and injured Pueblo County sheriff's deputies on the morning of Jan. 1, 2021.

Eddie Lovins, 50, an Iraq war veteran, shot and wounded two deputies and fired at others after allegedly calling in a bomb threat to the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville, Tennessee.

Just days earlier, an explosion had rocked downtown Nashville, injuring three people and damaging 40 or more businesses, according to Tennessee authorities. Lovins' alleged threat on Jan. 1 was to report a second bomb in the vicinity of the capitol.

"There is always a secondary," Lovins could be heard drunkenly telling a dispatcher and an agent for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations in a Jan. 1 phone call.

Pueblo deputies attempted to contact Lovins several times on the day of the alleged threat. About 3:30 p.m. that day at Lovins' residence, he allegedly opened fire, hitting Sgt. Joshua Rude and Deputy Nicholas Berumen.

Lovins allegedly continued to fire after hitting the two deputies, striking a responding fire truck and pinning down two men who had responded to the call of "officer down."

More on this case: Suspect in New Year's Day shooting of 2 Pueblo County deputies had reported bomb in Tennessee

Ian King, an attorney representing Lovins in the case, contended in his closing argument Friday that Lovins' post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was in control that day after a brutal deployment to the Iraqi city of Ramadi, followed by Kandahar Province, Afghanistan.

Therefore, King contended, Lovins should be found not guilty by reason of insanity.

During his time in Ramadi, Lovins' platoon saw constant firefights on an almost daily basis, the lieutenant in command of Lovins' platoon stated during the trial. He also testified that Lovins' platoon saw more contact with the enemy than all other platoons in his battalion combined.

When Lovins returned home after 15 months of fighting for survival, King said, he had left Iraq, but Iraq came with him.

"There's always a secondary explosive," said King. "That's the mantra that was rattling around in (Lovins') head, over and over for five days."

King pointed to statements made by Lovins in the hospital after his arrest, in which he stated he did not remember firing at the truck or shooting at deputies.

"That's because he wasn't here in Pueblo, he was in Ramadi when those shots were fired," King said.

King also pointed to alcohol intoxication as a contributing factor and a co-morbidity with Lovins' PTSD, likening Lovins' drinking of alcohol to drinking salt water while dying of thirst.

Finally, King pointed to Lovins' surrender upon recognizing that law enforcement was outside his door, and his confusion and remorse documented in body camera footage at finding out that he had shot deputies.

David Dingess of the 10th Judicial District Attorney's Office proposed in his closing argument a different theory —that Lovins had been looking for a confrontation and had knowingly and intentionally shot at law enforcement officers who arrived at his door.

Dingess pointed to recorded statements to Tennessee law enforcement that morning, in which Lovins stated that if anyone was sent to his door "it had better be federal," and made other threatening statements.

"Twenty-four shots is not an accident," Dingess said, referencing the number of shell casings recovered from two different guns found inside and outside the house.

More court news: Man accused of murder in 2021 shooting claims he acted in self-defense

Additionally, a psychiatric evaluation of Lovins indicated there was "no significant evidence" PTSD was a factor in the way Lovins behaved on the day of the shooting, Dingess said.

Dingess also pointed to text messages sent during the incident to Lovins' friend and his ex-wife, saying, "I don't give ground," and "I defend."

Despite his intoxication, Dingess said, Lovins could and should have been aware that those he shot at were law enforcement officers, based on their driving marked vehicles, wearing full uniforms, and from being told that law enforcement was coming to check on him

"He didn't have to declare his intent that morning," Dingess said. "His trigger finger did the talking for him."

Lovins stands accused of assault on a peace officer, criminal mischief, and making false bomb reports. Jury deliberations will continue Monday.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in court. Arrests and charges are merely accusations by law enforcement until, and unless, a suspect is convicted of a crime.

Questions, comments, or story tips? Contact Justin at jreutterma@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Jury deliberating in Pueblo man's shooting of sheriff's deputies