U.S. Marshals in Florida, Local Police, Arrest Colorado Man After Exchange of Gunfire

Washington, DC - Members of the U.S. Marshals Florida Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force on Monday were involved in an exchange of gunfire in Vero Beach, Florida, as they attempted to arrest a man wanted in Colorado on multiple sexual assault charges. 

Thomas Steffens, 72, a former neurosurgeon at the VA hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado, was taken into custody after a shootout with members of the U.S. Marshals task force.

Steffens is alleged to have drugged a victim with prescription medications and sexually assaulted her on Jan. 28. 

Following an investigation by the Grand Junction Police Department, a warrant was issued for his arrest on Feb. 25.

After investigators with the U.S. Marshals Service in Grand Junction developed information that Steffens was traveling to Florida’s Treasure Coast they sent a collateral lead to investigators in Florida, who located the vehicle Steffens was riding in and conducted a traffic stop. 

Steffens refused multiple commands to exit the vehicle and allegedly shot at the officers. Task force members returned fire, striking Steffens multiple times.

One deputy U.S. Marshal was shot in the leg but received immediate medical treatment at the scene and was transported to a local medical center.  He was released Tuesday.

Steffens was transported to a local hospital and is expected to survive. 

He is facing additional charges, including attempted murder. 

Martin County Sheriff’s Office detectives and Indian River County Sheriff’s Office detectives assigned to the USMS task force were involved in the incident but were not injured.

The U.S. Marshals have a long history of providing assistance and expertise to other law enforcement agencies in support of fugitive investigations. The success of U.S. Marshals task force initiatives, combined with the outstanding relationships forged with other law enforcement agencies, has led to the formation of permanent fugitive task forces, as well as ad-hoc task forces in response to unique cases that pose immediate threat to the public. In 2025, U.S. Marshals Service-led fugitive task forces arrested over 73,000 federal, state and local fugitives and cleared nearly 88,000 warrants.