Hundreds hold vigil for elk killed by police

BOULDER, Colorado — The elk was honored with a makeshift memorial of candles, songs and stories.

Several hundred people attended a vigil Sunday in Boulder, Colorado, for the elk that was killed by a police officer. It had wandered into a neighborhood, where it was fatally shot by an on-duty police officer.

The officer has said the elk appeared injured before he shot it. He has been placed on leave.

Police say an off-duty officer who had called in sick the night the elk was killed took the carcass home to be processed for meat. The Boulder Daily Camera reported Monday that the officer has a website that offers taxidermy services.

The second officer also has been placed on leave. State wildlife officials are investigating.