In a press conference held yesterday, Mayor Mike Johnston and Chief Thomas laid out the details of the disturbing stabbings that brought shadow over downtown Denver this past weekend. The city's leadership affirmed the arrest of 24-year-old Elijah Caudill in connection with the violent events that left two dead and several injured on Saturday and Sunday, according to the City and County of Denver.
According to the Denver Police Department, running with the knife after the incidents, the officers chased a man fitting Caudill's description before taking him into custody. It was through the steadfast work of Denver's police force that Caudill found himself behind bars, later identified as having been involved in four separate stabbing incidents along the 16th Street Mall area. Officials reported that before learning about the fourth victim, police were in active pursuit of the suspect.
The violence began on Saturday, with the first attack taking place at 5:12 p.m. near 16th St. and Tremont St., leaving an adult male self-transporting to the hospital. Shortly after, a female victim was attacked on 16th St. and California St. and was subsequently pronounced deceased. The spree continued to 16th St. and Lawrence St. where one more victim was seriously injured. The chaos spilled into the next day, January 12, with another male victim at 16th St. and Wynkoop St. losing his life following an 8:06 p.m. attack.
There seems to be no apparent connection between the victims and the assailant, as the investigations are actively unraveling Caudill's motives. Without revealing the booking photo, Mayor Johnston and Chief Thomas said that Caudill is being held on grave charges, including first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. The identities of the deceased would be provided by the Medical Examiner's Office, and the determination of charges will be made by the Denver District Attorney’s Office.
