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Two people were shot as crowds cleared from downtown streets after the Denver Nuggets championship parade.
Denver Police are investigating the shooting that occurred near 17th Avenue and Curtis Street. The victims are in serious condition and are being treated at Denver Health.
Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas said at a media conference that the alleged shooter is not in custody and remains unidentified. Police do have images of the person.
Thomas also said that while police believe the shooting was a targeted incident unrelated to the parade, there were innocent bystanders leaving the parade area as the shots were fired.
Among those in the crowd was Leyla Castillo. She was near the scene when the shooting happened. She, along with several other bystanders, was being treated for powder burns from the gunshots that were fired.
Castillo said that as she was crossing the street, a man approached near where she and group of men on scooters were standing and he began arguing with them. She saw the man pull a gun out and shoot three times. Castillo said she immediately ran away.
"He was right next to my head. The gun was right next to my head, so I just ran," Castillo said, her voice breaking.
The victims fled the scene as the shooter chased them, Castillo said.
For the second time this week, gun violence has marred Nuggets celebrations downtown.
On early Tuesday morning, just hours after the Nuggets clinched their first NBA title in franchise history, a dispute over a drug deal led to a shooting. Ten people, including one of the suspected shooters, were injured. Most of the injured had been celebrating the Nuggets' win.
Despite the two shootings, Chief Thomas said that he believes downtown is still safe for work and play.
"Unfortunately, we have, again, far too many guns in our society, far too many individuals that act irresponsibly with guns, and that's certainly something that we as a community need to continue to address," Thomas said. "We continue to take measures to keep the downtown area safe. We have a significant contingent of officers deployed in our downtown core, particularly on the weekends during the entertainment hours."
Still, both the Tuesday and Thursday shootings occurred in areas where the ongoing celebrations brought a heavy police presence.
When asked why shootings keep happening despite the presence of so many officers, Thomas said that "individuals now in our community are emboldened to act in an irresponsible way regardless of who's watching."
Castillo, who had been at City Park before Thursday's parade, said the Tuesday shooting was on her mind before going down town for the parade. Castillo said she thought the risk of violence occurring like on Tuesday morning had passed.
"I guess it can happen anywhere," Castillo said. "It's a sad reality, but it's unfortunately what happens nowadays."
This story has been updated with comments from Denver Police chief Ron Thomas and additional information about Thursday's shooting.
