Friends Remember Man Shot, Killed Trying To Save Neighbor
By Kathy Walsh
CENTENNIAL, Colo. (CBS4) - People living in one Centennial neighborhood were in shock the day after a deadly shooting that killed one person, injured two others and put one man behind bars.
"Trying to figure out the whys of this because none of it makes any sense," said Craig Johnson.
Johnson knows his Centennial neighborhood will never be the same. The crime investigators will leave. The damage, including bullet holes in his home, will be repaired. But the horror felt Monday afternoon will hurt forever.
"Not only is this a huge loss for our neighborhood, but it's a large loss for the community," Johnson told CBS4's Kathy Walsh.
Johnson had an emotional reunion with neighbor Laurie Juergens when she arrived back home with a bandage on her cheek.
Neighbors say she had been shot by another neighbor, Kevin Lyons. Juergens didn't want to talk about what happened, but according to witnesses, at 1:15 pm Monday, Lyons started shooting at his wife, Liz.
Apparently when she ran, Juergens and another neighbor, Dr. Ken Atkinson, 65, tried to help. Atkinson was shot and killed.
"The one good Samaritan who walks across the street to help a neighbor and he's the one that was killed," said Johnson about his doctor and friend.
Lyons was arrested Monday afternoon after a search of the neighborhood near South Monaco Street and Dry Creek Road. He was arrested on charges of first-degree murder, criminal attempt to commit first-degree murder and felony menacing. He appeared in court on Tuesday morning where he had several outbursts.
Liz and Juergens are expected to make a full recovery.
Patients and staff at Atkinson's nearby family practice comforted one other. Practice manager Mari De Lapp said Atkinson emanated kindness.
"When you hear the saying people have a heart of gold, he had the heart of gold," De Lapp said.
Ten years ago, Atkinson was featured on CBS4 training for a marathon. He and daughter, Whitney, were running for the Atkinson's two children who both died from the rare blood disorder called Fanconi Anemia. Ken and his wife Jeanne started a foundation to find a cure.
Long time patient Janice Nelson called Atkinson amazing, "To shoot a man like that is just unforgivable, it's unforgivable."
Atkinson is survived by his wife, two daughters and five grandchildren, including a baby girl born just two weeks ago.
Lyons remains in custody without bond and is scheduled to make his next court appearance on Friday.
Kathy Walsh is CBS4's Weekend Anchor and Health Specialist. She has been with CBS4 for more than 30 years. She is always open to story ideas. Follow Kathy on Twitter @WalshCBS4.
