A quiet Monday evening at a small-town playground in Ault ended with police lights and crime-scene tape after an 18-year-old man was shot in the leg at Wagon Wheel Park on April 20. The victim was found with a gunshot wound, received medical aid at the scene, and was taken for further treatment. He is expected to survive.
Witnesses at the park gave officers a description of the suspected shooter, described as a 15-year-old juvenile. Investigators later tracked that teen to his home and arrested him without further incident. Police say the encounter is not believed to have been random, but they are still working to figure out exactly what sparked the violence.
According to the Denver Gazette, officers were dispatched to Wagon Wheel Park around 7:26 p.m. on April 20 and found the 18-year-old suffering from a leg wound. The outlet reports that investigators interviewed witnesses at the scene and that anyone with information who has not yet been contacted should reach out to Officer Penhale at 970-834-1336.
As reported by CBS Colorado, the search for the suspect quickly turned into a large-scale operation, with roughly 20 additional officers from supporting agencies combing the area alongside drone and K-9 teams. Investigators obtained and executed a search warrant at the juvenile’s home, and the teen was taken into custody.
CBS Colorado also reports that the suspect was booked into the Platte Valley Youth Detention Center in Greeley. His name has not been released because of his age.
Where It Happened
Wagon Wheel Park sits at the corner of Conestoga Drive and Pawnee Trail in the small Weld County town of Ault. It is listed on the town website as a playground and shelter used by local families, the kind of neighborhood spot where kids usually outnumber cops.
Per the Town of Ault, the park’s posted hours run from early morning into the evening.
Investigation And Next Steps
Police say the shooting remains an open and active investigation, and the motive has not yet been determined, although it is not believed to have been a random act, according to the Denver Gazette. Authorities have not said what charges, if any, the juvenile may ultimately face, and they plan to release more information as the case develops.
In the meantime, investigators are still asking anyone who saw anything or has additional information about what led up to the gunfire at Wagon Wheel Park to contact Officer Penhale at 970-834-1336.
