A rifleman aims at police.

Officials are still trying to figure out if a call to 911 for help was for an actual domestic dispute or just  “Swatting” or fake request for assistance to set up an ambush.

Officers were responding to a call at the Copper Canyon apartments in Highlands Ranch early Sunday morning (just 16 miles south of Denver) when they came under fire by what is, at this point, believed to be a gunman with a rifle.

The rifleman also shotted two civilians — their condition is unknown.

Earlier in the morning area residents were advised to stay hunkered down inside their homes.

One area hospital claims to have received four people injured in in the melee but would not divulge their condition.

Staff Writer: Clinton Franklin

UPDATE:

police have identified the shooter of the four deputies as Matthew Rheil. Rheil was a military veteran and did a one year tour of duty in Iraq.

The 37-year-old once was a practicing attorney but gave up practicing law about a year ago.

At about the same time when the ceased practicing law, he began posting what some say are anti-law enforcement ramblings on the Internet.

Authorities have not said if Rheil’s roommate is under investigation as a co-conspirator in the incident, but they are reporting that he was on scene at about 0540 when they arrived at the apartment on their second call there for the night.

The roommate gave them the key to the apartment, then left.

Upon entering the structure, they discovered Rheil barricaded inside a room, at which time he opened fire on the deputies.

Rheil was killed about an hour later by responding officers from surrounding agencies and a SWAT unit.

The deceased deputy has been identified by the department as 29-year-old Zackari Parrish, a father of two.