The Denver Police Department has reported three deadly shootings in 48 hours — two at Denver Parks and Recreation facilities.
A juvenile has been arrested for allegedly shooting and killing another juvenile inside the Montbello Recreation Center on Thursday evening. Their ages and identities were not immediately disclosed.
Across town, an adult was shot at 20th Street and Little Raven Street, on the sidewalk at the Denver Skate Park, on Thursday night.
He was pronounced dead at the hospital. No arrests have been made.
And on late Wednesday or early Thursday morning, on the 19000 block of E. 49th Avenue, another person was shot and killed. That investigation is open.
The trio of shootings took place a month after the city saw an earlier spate of gun homicides. Last year, gun deaths dropped dramatically in Denver — a move Mayor Johnston attributed to the city’s police and nonprofit strategies.
“Every child in Denver deserves the opportunity to grow up free from fear and violence,” said Al Gardner, executive director of the Department of Safety, in a statement. “Anything less is unacceptable.”
He said the city would “continue using proven violence prevention and intervention strategies that have contributed to significant reductions in violence across our city, and officers and outreach teams are already working in the community to help prevent further harm and to support those impacted.”
Officials mourn for Montbello
The shooting inside the Montbello rec center seemed especially shocking for city leaders. Mayor Johnston visited the facility last night.
“No statement can capture the grief we feel today,” Johnston said of the Montbello shooting in a statement. “Our hearts are broken. To the family of the victim and the entire Montbello community, know that you have our deepest sympathies and our unwavering support.”
Police Chief Ron Thomas said the victim and the young person involved in the incident knew each other, and he believes the incident is “isolated.”
“We ask the community to keep the victim’s family, loved ones and the entire Montbello community in their thoughts,” he said in a statement.
Parks and Recreation Director Jolon Clark expressed his support for the Montbello Recreation Center staff and said the department is ensuring they have support.
The rec center will be closed until further notice. All programs will be canceled.
The police are asking people with information about these incidents to call 720-913-7867.
The other shootings
The Denver Police Department could not comment on the shootings, beyond what the department posted to social media.
The mayor’s office was still being updated on that shooting and did not have a specific comment on Friday afternoon.
“Our hearts break at any act of violence,” wrote the mayor’s spokesperson Jon Ewing. “And we will dedicate every resource toward making our city safer.”
Preventing shootings
Anti-violence organizer Joel Hodges said his group, Struggle of Love, is working with the families of the victims in the Montbello shooting and providing them with food and support.
The nonprofit is also in touch with the suspected perpetrator and his family
“We’re reaching out to all our people who are guardians and parents to please get a little bit more nosey in searching backpacks, phones and any clues and we’re tyring to get as well,” Hodges said.
His organization is asking the community to show up in support of the victim’s family, youth who witnessed the killing, and the staff at the rec center.
We want everybody to make it home safe,” Hodges said. “Let’s find another way to resolve our conflicts other than violence.”
