Man Kills Himself After Shooting Retirement Community Manager
DENVER (CBS4) - A man shot another before killing himself at a Denver retirement community on Thursday.
The shooting happened at Metro Manor near West Colfax Avenue and Quitman Street. The shooter's ex-wife said Bennie Mendez, 65, is secluded and said he liked to be alone. She said she was shocked to hear about what happened.
Mendez is believed to have shot his apartment manager and then himself.
Metro Manor is a retirement community with nearly 200 units. Sharon Smith lives in the building and was at home when police swarmed the area.
"I could hear all the ambulances and fire trucks go by because I'm right at the front door," Smith said.
Some reports indicate that Mendez was upset about the manager's plans to inspect his apartment -- something that happened every year. Mendez's ex-wife said he liked to keep to himself.
Smith said she knew the manager but not well.
"He was young, 26 or something like that, and he did his job good," Smith said.
He was rushed to the hospital and is listed in critical condition. His name hasn't been released.
The shooting is still an open investigation.
