Trial begins for Pueblo West man accused of shooting sheriff's deputies

A jury trial began Monday for a Pueblo West man accused of shooting two sheriff's deputies on New Year's Day in 2021 after they'd attempted to contact him regarding and alleged bomb threat at the state capitol building in Tennessee.

Eddie Lovins, 50, faces local charges of attempted first-degree murder and attempted first-degree assault. His trial is scheduled to continue through Friday, according to Pueblo court records.

Prior to the interaction with Pueblo law enforcement, Lovins allegedly called Tennessee Highway Patrol and told them there was a bomb in the state capitol building in Nashville, according to an arrest affidavit from the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office. Lovins didn’t say he'd planted a bomb, and no bomb was found after a search of the building.

Following up on the alleged threat, Pueblo deputies tried to contact Lovins twice at his home but were unsuccessful. Authorities with the Tennessee Highway Patrol then contacted the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office and told them Lovins had called them again, so the sheriff's office attempted to contact him a third time, according to the affidavit.

Six minutes after arriving at Lovins’ residence, Sgt. Joshua Rude reported he’d been shot at and hit. Deputy Nicolas Berumen, who was also on scene, reported being shot one minute later.

The deputies were treated for their injuries at Parkview Hospital, where doctors found Rude had “three dense metallic objects in his head,” and Berumen “had metallic fragments in his skin, elbow and cheek,” according to the affidavit.

Both deputies were released from Parkview the day of the shooting and were expected to make full recoveries.

The affidavit stated Lovins fired “at least 15 shots” in the direction of deputies.

The shots were believed to be fired through the back screen door of Lovins’ home. The deputies were alongside a neighbor, whom Lovins had asked to check on his dog, when shots were fired from a weapon Lovins called an “AR."

The Pueblo Metro Bomb Unit was dispatched to the scene after Lovins stated the house was "wired," then-Sheriff Kirk Taylor stated at a press conference shortly after the incident. The bomb unit did not find any explosives in Lovins' residence.

After an approximately hourlong standoff, deputies used a single shot of nonlethal ammunition to subdue Lovins and take him into custody, Taylor said. The round was a “beanbag round” fired from a shotgun.

Taylor said in 2021 that the sheriff's office had a history with Lovins regarding "mental health problems."

As of Monday afternoon, a jury was still being selected for Lovins' trial, which will be held in the court of Judge Amiel Markensen.

Court officials in Nashville told the Chieftain Monday they have no record of charges against Lovins in the state of Tennessee.

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: Trial begins for Pueblo West man accused of shooting sheriff's deputies