Daughter Of Camper Killed By Stray Bullet: 'If You're Going To Be Dumb, You Better Be Tough'
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - Douglas County investigators believe a stray bullet from a high-powered weapon killed 60-year-old Glenn A. Martin. They haven't found the shooter and his devastated family is hoping for some closure.
Martin was shot Friday while camping in the Rainbow Falls Park area near Deckers in the Pike National Forest. Police want anyone who was in the area shooting guns, knows someone who was shooting guns, or saw people shooting guns, to come forward. Gunfire in the Pike National Forest is prohibited.
Martin's daughter Carlie, son-in-law and their children were camping with him when he was hit by the apparent errant bullet. At first Carlie thought her father had been stung by a bee.
"He was very happy ... and then the whole world just cracked. My world cracked," Carlie said. "You never know when you're going to go … you could be sitting at a campfire waiting to roast marshmallows with your grandchildren, talking to your son-in-law … and you're just done."
The family says they heard shooting in the park all day and even reported it to Forest Service.
Although investigators believe it was an errant bullet that struck Martin, they haven't been able to rule out that it was intentional.
"We're not able to rule out an intentional act," Sgt. Ron Hanavan with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office said.
The family wonders if the shooter even knows what they have done.
"If they do find out, that's going to be a lot for that person to handle … but if, my daddy always said, 'If you're going to be dumb, you better be tough,' " Carlie said. "So that person needs to know what they've done because they've ruined our lives right now."
"I lost my best friend. He was a good guy to look up to ... he was a good grandpa, a good dad, and a good father-in-law. I couldn't ask for anything better," Martin's son-in-law Chris said.
Deputies say they know a crime was committed, but until they talk to everyone involved, they don't know the exact crime.
"Man up and come forward so we have some peace of mind," Chris said.
Additional Information From The Douglas County Sheriff's Office
The Douglas County Sheriff's Office continues to seek the public's help. If you were shooting a high powered rifle in the area or if you saw anyone shooting a high powered rifle on Friday July 3, 2015 around 6:30 pm please contact the DCSO Major Tip Line 303-660-7579 or CALL METRO DENVER CRIME STOPPERS 720-913-STOP (7867).
