What started as a late-night celebration of the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a southeast Denver parking lot has now turned into a double fatal shooting, police say. A second person wounded in the Jan. 3 gunfire outside a shopping center in the Kennedy neighborhood has died, bringing the death toll to two out of four people who were shot. The first victim, a 16-year-old, died after being taken from the scene, and detectives say the case is still very much open, with no arrests announced.
Second victim identified; medical examiner rules homicide
According to The Denver Post, the second person to die from the shooting has been identified as 26-year-old Jean Rodriguez Isturiz. He died on Jan. 7, and the Denver Office of the Medical Examiner ruled his death a homicide caused by a gunshot wound. The Post reported that this is the latest development in an investigation that has been underway since the Jan. 3 shooting.
Shooting followed a celebration in a shopping center lot
Denver police say the gunfire erupted after an argument broke out during a large gathering in the parking lot near South Galena Street and East Hampden Avenue. Officers who responded to the scene initially found one injured person, then learned that three more victims had also been shot.
Reporting from Denver7 notes that the first 911 call came in around 11 p.m., and investigators temporarily shut down the shopping center while they worked the scene. Police said the crowd had gathered to celebrate news of Maduro's capture and that the shooting followed an argument. Detectives are still trying to sort out who opened fire.
Teen named; DPD details the victims
Authorities later identified the 16-year-old killed in the shooting as William Rodriguez Salas. Police said one adult victim was in critical condition, another adult was listed as serious, and a fourth person suffered a graze wound.
CBS News Colorado reported the teen's identification and quoted Denver Police Sgt. Katherine McCandless, who said, "There was an argument that resulted in a shooting, but we don't know who started it." The outlet also noted that witnesses reported seeing a food truck flying a Venezuelan flag at the gathering.
Why people had gathered
The U.S. operation that removed Maduro from power sparked celebrations and protests in pockets across the country, and local reporting describes the Denver crowd as one of the groups that came together to mark the news. Colorado Public Radio has been tracking the nationwide reaction and political fallout from the operation, coverage that helps explain why people gathered in public spots like the Hampden shopping center lot on the night of the shooting.
Police ask for tips and footage
Denver police are asking anyone who was there, or who has information, photos, or video related to the shooting, to come forward. Tipsters are urged to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867) or submit an anonymous tip online, according to Metro Denver Crime Stoppers. Local outlets report that investigators have not announced any arrests as they continue to interview witnesses and review footage from the scene.
What happens next
Detectives say the investigation remains active and that new information could shift how the case is handled. Police have urged anyone who attended the gathering to check their phones, home security systems, and any other cameras for video that could help them piece together what happened. Journalists and officials say they plan to share updates as investigators develop new leads or file charges.
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