A routine medical call in Denver's La Alma neighborhood turned into a full-blown death investigation Wednesday evening, as officers sealed off part of La Alma Park and kept neighbors at bay behind yellow tape.
Residents reported ambulances rolling in and a heavy police presence around 7:30 p.m., with photos on social media showing squad cars lining the streets and the park taped off. Officials have not released the identity of the person involved or said how the person died, and investigators say the case remains open.
Police statement
The Denver Police Department confirmed the response in a brief update on X, saying that "officers responded to the area to assist on a medical call for service, which resulted in an outdoor death investigation," according to the Denver Police Department. The message also reminded followers that the account is not monitored around the clock and that anyone facing an emergency should call 911.
Beyond that initial statement, the department did not share more details about what officers found at the scene or how the situation unfolded.
Witness accounts place scene at La Alma Park
Clues about the exact location came from people replying to the department online. One response to the Denver Police Department reported an "ambulance and lots of cop cars and taped off at La Alma Park around 7:30," and other neighborhood posts pointed to the same park.
Those updates quickly drew residents from the nearby Lincoln Park area to the edges of the taped-off zone, where they watched emergency crews work and pressed city staff for answers. Investigators have asked anyone who might have video from the area or other details to contact police.
Park history and city response
La Alma Park and its adjoining recreation center have been at the center of safety debates before. The city has previously fenced off portions of the grounds after violent incidents, including a fatal shooting that led to a temporary closure of the recreation center, as reported by Denver7.
Neighbors and city council members have pushed back on extended closures, arguing that any security measures need to be weighed against community access to playgrounds, green space, and youth programs that serve the surrounding neighborhood.
How to report tips
The Denver Department of Public Safety is asking anyone with information related to the case to reach out to police through the non-emergency line at 720-913-2000, or to call 911 in an emergency.
The Denver Office of the Medical Examiner will release the official cause of death and the person's identity once that review is complete, a standard step highlighted in local coverage of similar incidents by CBS4.
