Denver Rescue Mission Employee Stabbed & Killed Outside Men's Shelter, Officials Say
DENVER (CBS4) - Denver police say someone stabbed and killed a staff member at the Denver Rescue Mission on Saturday night. Police responded to the area near 48th Avenue and Dahlia Street outside of the men's shelter.
At 4:45 p.m., police said they arrested a man, identified as Christopher Christian, who now faces a charge of first degree murder. A witness described him as a 22-year-old man.
According to an arrest affidavit, the victim is only described as a 30-year-old man. Witnesses who also work at the facility told police the victim was stabbed in the area of his ribs. Police say the victim was taken to the hospital where he later died.
Witnesses also told police Christian was asked to leave the facility the night before due to a physical fight with another resident. Christian was told not to return for 30 days. The stabbing victim was not involved in that decision or the fight.
The affidavit states Christian approached the victim in the parking lot and was apparently talking to him. Then Christian was seen on surveillance video holding a backpack in front of him which the victim grabbed, and the two men began fighting. After they separated for a moment, video apparently shows the victim picking up the bag and then Christian running toward the victim and started fighting him again.
"The Denver Department of Housing Stability (HOST) is deeply saddened and stand ready to support our provider partners at Denver Rescue Mission," the Denver Department of Housing Stability said in a news release on Sunday.
The Denver Rescue Mission tells CBS4 they are operating as normal. Those who know more about the crime are asked to call Metro Denver Crimestoppers at 720-913-7867.
