Suspects Arrested, 2 In Serious Condition After Deadly Shooting
DENVER (CBS4)- Police arrested two suspects in connection with a deadly shooting near Coors Field on Monday afternoon. Two people remain in serious condition after the shooting, described by Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen as an "exchange of gunfire" in Denver's Ballpark neighborhood.
The shooting happened near 21st and Lawrence just after 4 p.m. Monday. That's south of Coors Field.
Police arrested Josh Hayward, 24, at 8 a.m. Tuesday. Hayward is being held for investigation of first-degree murder. The second suspect in the exchange of gunfire, DeShea Armstrong, 23, is being held on federal weapons charges. He was also injured in the shooting.
One person was killed and four others shot, including Armstrong. As of Tuesday morning, two had been released from Denver Health Medical Center and two remain at the hospital in serious condition. All those involved in the shooting are adult males. The person who was killed has not been identified.
Mourners gathered on Tuesday afternoon where the shooting occurred the day before.
"I was just very touched and bothered by what happened yesterday," said Jordan Fouts.
Fouts works with the homeless and those battling substance abuse in the area. She wonders if they were among those involved in the shooting.
"I am in recovery from addiction myself and I know I have put myself into some dangerous situations," she confided.
People living in the area rushed to help. Dejune Allen was one of those who wanted to help, "I went down to see if I could help or anything but it was the patrons who came out and started helping."
Police praised those who helped them track down the suspects and emphasized that the shooting was not random.
"This was a targeted incident and not random," said Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen.
Pazen would not elaborate on a possible motive or whether any bystanders were among the wounded.
The Ballpark neighborhood is one of transition that include expensive apartments in contrast with the homeless population. The Denver Rescue Mission is located a short 5-minute walk from where the shooting happened.
"I literally broke up a drug deal in front of our door and I called the police and they broke them up," said Glory Kickboxing spokesman Brad Hubbard.
He and others hope the shooting will initiate police to take action and knock drug dealers out of the Ballpark neighborhood.
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock issued a statement Tuesday afternoon on the shooting which read in part:
"First and foremost, our condolences go out to the family who lost a loved one yesterday at 21st and Lawrence. Our prayers are also with the injured and their families. Shootings like these and other recent tragedies in the neighborhood are unacceptable. The victims deserve justice and the people responsible for these horrible acts will be held accountable."
Hancock went on to say he met with police district commanders on Monday following the shooting to determine if they needed more resources.
CBS4's Rick Sallinger is a Peabody award winning reporter who has been with the station more than two decades doing hard news and investigative reporting. Follow him on Twitter @ricksallinger.
