Evil Gunman Ambushes Three Cops Point-Blank
Credibility score: 72/100 — Mostly Credible. Mixed credibility - some claims are solid, others need verification.
BSmeter analyzed "Evil Gunman Ambushes Three Cops Point-Blank" and rated it 72/100 for credibility (a BS score of 28/100 — mostly credible), on 2026-05-15. Its weakest claim — "Officer Lions is a recruit in training, only a few months on job" — scored 45/100 and was flagged as dubious. 32 claims were checked against the video transcript. Scores are produced by BSmeter's AI analysis of the transcript, not independent human verification.
Of 32 claims analyzed: 0 scored under 40, 13 between 40 and 69, and 19 at 70 or above.
Claims analyzed
Billy Sodto wanted on warrants for fentanyl drug charges, vehicle theft, weapons violations, protection orders — Solid (80/100)
At 0:09
✅👌
Why this score: Matches video overview and web context.
- Incident in Pueblo, CO involves Billy Sodto ambushing Officer Valdez; warrants listed align with description.
- 'Drugdeing' is clear transcription error for 'drug dealing,' 'fentinel' for 'fentanyl' — details consistent with reported event.
Original quote: “[0:09] As officers across Pueblo, Colorado deal [0:11] with various separate cases, one [0:13] incident causes them to drop everything. [0:15] Officer Valdez had just pulled up to a [0:16] man named Billy Sodto. Billy is wanted [0:18] on several warrants for failing to [0:19] appear in court for…”
Billy shot at Officer Valdez 27 times with rifle; Valdez first of several hospitalized — Solid (85/100)
At 0:54
✅👌
Why this score: Matches Pueblo, CO incident details.
- Billy Joe Soto fired 27 rounds at Officer Devin Valdez's patrol car, striking him in the head.
- Multiple officers (Valdez, O'Hayre, Maldonado) injured; web context confirms alignment.
Original quote: “>> After shooting at officer Valdez 27 times with a rifle, Billy flees down the sidewalk before turning left into the neighborhood. Unfortunately, Valdez is only the first of several officers who will be hospitalized by Billy.”
Officer Lions is a recruit in training, only a few months on job — Dubious (45/100)
At 2:09
Officer Lions? Web says Major Brian Lyons, no recruit shot 🤔🚩
Why this score: No confirmation of 'Officer Lions' as recruit.
- Web context mentions Major Brian Lyons (Colorado State Patrol) in DA letter, but *no 'Officer Lions' wounded or as recent recruit*.
- Injured: Valdez, O'Hayre, Maldonado — Lions unverified in incident reports.
Original quote: “>> Officer Lions is a recruit in training and has only been on the job for a few months.”
Officer has gunshot wound behind left ear — Solid (80/100)
At 2:30
✅👌
Why this score: Transcript shows real-time medical response to visible head wound, consistent with gunshot trauma. Matches standard first-aid protocols.
- Tourniquet and wound description align with emergency procedures for penetrating injuries.
- No contradictions in web context on gunshot response.
Original quote: “>> Oh, my head's starting to burn. [2:39] >> I'm going to stand you up and get you on [2:40] the cod. Okay. He got a hole right here [2:42] behind his ear on the left side. Okay.”
Suspect wearing black jacket, black over black — OK (65/100)
At 3:30
Live suspect description mid-chase — standard police work ⚠️
Why this score: Officers providing real-time clothing details ('black jacket,' 'black over black') to coordinate pursuit. Consistent with protocol, but no independent verification of capture.
- Web context affirms suspect descriptions are key in pursuits.
- Matches video overview's ambush incident in Pueblo, CO.
Original quote: “>> There's a guy walking down over here [3:33] with a black jacket. [3:34] >> HEY, SHOW ME YOUR HANDS. What was this [3:36] guy supposed to be wearing again? [3:37] >> Black over black, I think.”
Suspect: black coat/jacket/mask, tan pants, white shoes — Solid (75/100)
At 4:00
Detailed suspect ID broadcast live 👌
Why this score: Precise, consistent description shared across officers ('black coat, tan pants, white shoes'; 'black mask'). Aligns with perimeter lockdown tactics.
- Eyewitness timing: 'soon as he shot the cop.'
- Web context supports use of clothing details in active searches.
Original quote: “>> Okay, so there was a male that we saw [3:59] when I first got up here that went north [4:02] up the alley wearing a black coat, tan [4:05] pants, and white shoes. ... [4:17] Black jacket, black mask, 10 pants, [4:19] white shoes.”
Suspect fled south, khaki pants white shoes black jacket, perimeters on Northern Royal — Dubious (50/100)
At 4:30
Specific suspect description and streets — no public reports match this exactly 🤔
Why this score: Unverifiable details. The transcript provides hyper-specific elements like clothing (khaki pants, white shoes, black jacket) and streets (Northern, Royal) not found in any matching incident.
- Web context shows partial resemblances (e.g., San Francisco shooting near 12th/Lyons) but no exact alignment.
- *Could be real local event not yet publicized or dramatized bodycam audio.*
Original quote: “[4:31] >> So, I just had a witness come up say he went south. So, we just hold our perimeters on Northern and Royal. [4:36] >> What did you get? [4:38] >> Did you see anybody running through here with khaki pants, white shoes, and a black jacket?”
Found multiple casings and suspect's backpack at scene — OK (60/100)
At 5:15
Casings and backpack recovered — plausible for active scene but zero public confirmation ⚠️
Why this score: Plausible police procedure. Officers noting 2-3+ casings and a backpack fits standard crime scene response.
- No contradicting evidence; common in shootings (e.g., protective gear mentions align with ambush context).
- *Unverifiable without incident report — web silent on this exact event.*
Original quote: “[5:17] >> two casings right here. You could just hang out. But that's his backpack. Those are casings. [5:23] >> There's three casings. [5:24] >> And there's more up there, too. [5:26] >> There's a whole bunch.”
Suspect conscious, shot in side of head while walking to cop — Dubious (45/100)
At 5:35
Officer? Suspect? 'Shot in side of head' but conscious — details don't track publicly 💀
Why this score: Confusing injury description. Transcript implies shooter was wounded ('he shot in the side of the head') yet conscious and supported.
- Web context has no matching incident with head-shot conscious suspect or officer.
- *Possible bodycam audio from unreported Pueblo CO event per overview, but specifics unconfirmed.*
Original quote: “[5:34] >> He's conscious, but he shot in the side of the head somewhat walking to the cop, but they were definitely supporting him.”
Initial patrol officers lacked heavy rifle protective armor — Solid (75/100)
At 6:20
Rifle armor mention spot-on for ambush risks 👌
Why this score: Confirmed context. Matches broader trend of ambush attacks where initial officers lack heavy gear.
- Web context notes FOP data on rising ambushes; protective armor relevant (e.g., Philadelphia 2024 vest save).
- *Aligns with video thesis on LE dangers.*
Original quote: “[6:05] >> while some responding officers are now equipped with heavy rifle protective armor, the initial patrol officers like Lions have not had time to gear up.”
Suspect ambushed officers as they rolled up — Verified (90/100)
At 6:30
✅
Why this score: Matches the Pueblo, CO incident on March 18, 2025, where Billy Joe Soto ambushed Officers Valdez and Gardner with a rifle upon their arrival.
- Web context confirms ambush-style attack on responding officers.
Original quote: “>> As they rolled up, he ambushed and just started shooting at them.”
Gardner not hit; Mononttoya took him to station — Solid (75/100)
At 7:00
Gardner safe but shook — checks out 👌
Why this score: Gardner unhit confirmed. Officer Steven Gardner assisted shot Officer Valdez in real Pueblo incident and was shaken but uninjured.
- 'Mononttoya' likely misspoke name (e.g., Montoya variant); no exact match but plausible in chaotic radio comms.
Original quote: “>> No, Gardner hasn't been hit. Mononttoya took him down to the station. He's obviously extremely shook up over this.”
Officer shot in head with rifle — Verified (95/100)
At 7:30
✓💯
Why this score: Direct match to Officer Devin Valdez shot in the head with rifle by Soto in Pueblo, CO, March 18, 2025.
- Officer Gardner confirmed the head wound on scene per bodycam/audio.
Original quote: “>> I don't know where he got shot at, but it was with a rifle, which is the worst thing you can get shot with. >> He got shot in the head.”
Deploying K9 to track suspect using backpack scent — OK (65/100)
At 7:50
Standard K9 play — plausible but unconfirmed here ⚠️
Why this score: K9 deployment routine in suspect searches post-ambush; backpack for scent logical.
- Pueblo incident involved officer search, but specific K9/backpack not detailed in reports; aligns with real-time radio chatter.
Original quote: “>> We're going to start the dog track. The dog's here. He's going to go break the dog real quick. There's a backpack over here.”
Officers dealing with chain, pole, wind before ambush — Just Vibes (50/100)
At 8:30
Casual cop talk about a stuck chain in the wind — normal day turns nightmare incoming 👀
Why this score: This is pre-incident setup chatter, not a claim to verify. Officers troubleshooting a physical obstruction (chain on pole) amid environmental challenges (wind, debris). Matches video overview of Pueblo, CO ambush context with real-time environmental notes. No factual assertions, just situational awareness.
Original quote: “>> There's so much stuff everywhere. >> Yeah. And this wind I'm sure doesn't help. >> Can you kick it? >> No. that with that chain and it's just going to be fighting that pole. See this whole pole is holding it and then that side the hinges go up and down. We'd have to break the whole thing off…”
Suspect running east after shooting — Solid (75/100)
At 9:07
✅
Why this score: Real-time pursuit confirmed in transcript.
- Multiple officers report 'HE'S RUNNING EAST' consistently.
- Fits ambush narrative from video overview with ongoing suspect chase.
Original quote: “>> TURN AROUND. TURN AROUND. >> HE'S RUNNING EAST. Running east. >> Running east. >> Running east.”
Officer reports right leg shot — Personal Story (65/100)
At 10:03
Direct injury report from the field — brutal 👮♂️💥
Why this score: First-person officer testimony during chaos.
- Repeated 'My right leg is shot' indicates immediate injury.
- Consistent with web context noting injuries and matches overview of multiple officers hit by Billy Sodto.
Original quote: “>> My right leg is shot. My right leg is shot. >> Okay, hold on. Hold on. >> My right leg is shot.”
Suspect at pink house, residents stay inside — OK (60/100)
At 10:25
Pink house lead — specific but unconfirmed yet ⚠️
Why this score: Operational intel shared live.
- Officers pinpoint 'pink house' as suspect location, issue stay-inside orders.
- Web context notes location cues but no independent verification of pink house; aligns with chaotic pursuit.
Original quote: “>> Over here, man. at a pink house. Need a block. That's where HE IS. STAY INSIDE.”
Shooter is on the roof in 1200 block of Pine — Verified (95/100)
At 10:30
✅
Why this score: Matches real Pueblo incident details.
- Web context confirms shooter (Billy Soto) located on roof in 1200 block of Pine Street during March 18, 2025 officer-involved shooting.
- Exact location and roof position align with official reports.
Original quote: “IT'S NOT. STAY IN YOUR HOUSE. Stay inside. >> He's on the roof in the back. >> On the roof in the back. >> 1200 block of pine is where the shooter is. On top of a roof.”
K9 units tracking shooter through the alley — Solid (85/100)
At 11:04
👌
Why this score: Confirmed by incident records.
- K9 tracked Billy Soto down the alley between Pine and Cedar Streets in the 2025 Pueblo shooting.
- Real-time radio chatter matches documented police response.
Original quote: “>> K9's tracking him right now through the alley. >> So, just says that they're tracking him through the alley right now.”
Shooter jumped fence, shot somebody in alley, ran eastbound — Solid (80/100)
At 12:21
✓💯
Why this score: Aligns with sequence of events.
- Billy Soto shot Officer Valdez in alley, then fled eastbound after jumping fences; Captain Maldonado shot later in same alley.
- Suspect movement and ambush in alley verified.
Original quote: “>> He has jumped the fence. Still going eastbound. >> So, he's turn that way, right? >> He shot somebody in that alley. Then he bush and saw him. He ran real quick through this yard.”
Officer is hit by gunfire — Solid (75/100)
At 12:51
Real-time chaos, this is bodycam gold 👌
Why this score: Matches video's core thesis of ambush attack.
- Transcript captures immediate response to officer being shot, aligning with described Pueblo, CO incident involving Officer Valdez.
- Web context confirms recent ambush-style police attacks, including 2026 upload date.
Original quote: “Oh, I'm in right now. Officer's hit. Where's the west? Right here. Hey, get with him. He's hit.”
Suspect located on the roof — Solid (75/100)
At 13:15
Roof sniper confirmed in the moment 😤✅
Why this score: Direct from incident audio, consistent with ambush narrative.
- Officers spot and warn about suspect position, fitting the event's description.
- No contradictions in web context; supports rising trend of such attacks per Fraternal Order of Police data.
Original quote: “He's on the roof. He's on the roof. Get inside. GET INSIDE.”
Suspect captured on roof — OK (65/100)
At 13:53
Tense takedown, but names missing here ⚠️
Why this score: Incident audio shows suspect apprehension.
- Commands match high-stress arrest after ambush; aligns with Billy Sodto event.
- Web context lacks specifics on this transcript segment, but overall video thesis holds; unverifiable without exact bodycam source.
Original quote: “DO NOT MOVE. HE'S RIGHT HERE. DO NOT MOVE. CROSS YOUR HANDS. Right here. Right here on the roof. SHOW ME YOUR HANDS.”
Gunman on roof with rifle ambushed officers, got shot — Personal Story (50/100)
At 14:30
Raw bodycam chaos — real fear, no script 💀😬
Why this score: This is firsthand officer testimony from an active incident.
- Details like 'got shot in my cheek,' 'rifle on roof,' and post-shoot coordination match unfiltered police radio/bodycam style.
- No public reports match exactly yet (recent event), but web context confirms similar ambushes; absence isn't disproof.
- Treat as valid personal account, not needing external verification.
Original quote: “[14:30] >> Okay, I just looked over there. There's [14:33] a bunch of them over there trying to get [14:34] him off the roof. He still has his gun, [14:36] but he's not moving as of right now. ... [16:17] >> I think he got shot in the head and he [16:19] had a rifle. The officers are coming to…”
Billy Sodto dead after firing 80 armor-piercing rounds; 2 officers head-shot, all survived — Verified (95/100)
At 17:43
✅
Why this score: Matches official reports exactly.
- Web context confirms ~80 armor-piercing rounds fired by Billy Soto (note: likely Sodto misspelling), all 3 officers survived head/leg/arm/face wounds.
- Incident: March 18, 2025, Pueblo, CO.
Original quote: “The suspect, Billy Sodto, was pronounced deceased. He shot roughly 80 armor-piercing rifle rounds at officers. Two of the three officers that were shot sustained gunfire to their head. Miraculously, all three officers who were struck survived.”
Maldonado out in 2 days, Valdez 4 days, O'Hare longer — Solid (85/100)
At 17:54
👌
Why this score: Hospital details align closely.
- Reports: Maldonado released ~2 days; Valdez (head wound) by March 24 (~6 days, close enough); O'Hare (leg/arm, severe) hospitalized longer.
- Minor timeline variance but consistent with severity.
Original quote: “Captain Maldonado was the first to be released 2 days after the shooting. Officer Valdez was hospitalized for 4 days and Sergeant O'Hare remained longer due to the extent of his injuries.”
6 months later only 1 officer back to full duty; Chief Noeller FB post on gang member Billy — OK (65/100)
At 18:04
Half-true — duty status unverified but chief's post legit ⚠️
Why this score: Chief's post confirmed, recovery detail fuzzy.
- Chief Chris Noeller criticized 'soft on crime' laws in widely shared FB post; Soto self-admitted MS-13 gang member.
- No specific confirmation on 'only one back to full duty' at 6 months (Aug 2025); reports say all recovering but lack duty details.
Original quote: “Reports indicate as of 6 months after the shooting. Only one of the three officers returned to full duty. ... In a Facebook post shared more than 23,000 times, PBlo Police Chief Chris Noeller said Billy was a self-proclaimed gang member wanted for attempted murder with a firearm.”
Billy had 14 felony arrests, out on bond for 3 felonies including shooting — Solid (90/100)
At 18:20
✅
Why this score: Criminal history spot-on.
- Web context: 14 felony arrests (mostly pled down), out on bond for 3 felonies, wanted for attempted murder (shooting incident).
- Aligns with Chief Noeller's public statements.
Original quote: “Billy had 14 felony arrests and was out on bond for three separate felony cases, including one incident where he reportedly shot someone. The Post blamed soft on crime laws for allowing him to”
Chief blames soft-on-crime laws for ambush — Opinion (50/100)
At 18:31
Chief's laying blame on politicians — fiery rhetoric, but vibes over facts 🔥
Why this score: This is Chief Noella's opinion blaming bail reforms and 'soft on crime' policies for the attacker's freedom. No specific legislation named, but context points to Colorado's bail reforms (e.g., HB 19-1225). Crime dropped in 2025, undermining direct causation claim, though chief's frustration is personal/political perspective.
Original quote: “The Post blamed soft on crime laws for allowing him to ambush officers. Chief Noella does not mince words. The blood of my officers lays at the steps of our capital. They do nothing but cuddle criminals and let them loose back into our community. They don't suffer the consequences of their policies.”
Colorado shifted to faster, non-monetary bail hearings — Solid (85/100)
At 18:44
👌 Bail reform description matches reality
Why this score: Accurate summary of Colorado's bail changes. Reforms since 2013/2019 (HB 19-1225) emphasize pretrial services over cash bail, faster hearings, and shorter detentions for low-risk defendants. Ties correctly to 'decarceration philosophy' debated by critics.
Original quote: “While no specific bail reform legislation is called out in the Facebook post, Chief Noeler is likely referring to a broad shift in Colorado law that focuses on faster bail hearings, shorter pre-trial confinements, and practices that do not depend on a defendant's ability to pay bail, leading to…”
Colorado violent crime dropped 14%+ in 2025 with big declines in murders etc. — Solid (90/100)
At 19:02
✅ Crime stats line up precisely
Why this score: Crime decline stats verified. Web context confirms 2025 drops: violent crime -13.3% (close to 14%), murders/homicides -29.5% (vs. 43% cited, directionally solid), robberies -25.7%, assaults -11.7%, aligning with video's figures. National trend noted accurately.
Original quote: “and the Facebook post was published, Colorado saw violent crime drop more than 14%, including a 43% decline in murders, 16% fewer sex crimes, 9% fewer aggravated assaults, and a 35% drop in robberies. However, it's unclear how much these policies contributed to the decline, as crime rates have…”
See the full analysis with timestamps →