Daytime gunfire along the South Platte River left a man dead after a shooting Thursday near the Denver Skatepark, rattling one of Lower Downtown's busiest recreation spots.
Police say the violence unfolded in the area of 20th Street and Little Raven Street, beside City of Cuernavaca Park. Officers swarmed the riverfront, taped off portions of the scene, and interviewed witnesses as detectives began piecing together what happened.
The victim, an adult man, was initially taken to a hospital in critical condition. By Friday morning, police said he had died there. The investigation remains active as officers continue to follow up with people who may have seen or heard anything.
Police update and investigation
The Denver Police Department first alerted the public in a post on X, saying officers had responded to a reported shooting in the 20th and Little Raven area.
In an 11:25 a.m. Friday update: The department reported that the victim had been pronounced dead at the hospital, according to The Denver Gazette. The outlet also noted that investigators were “in contact with everyone involved” and that no arrests had been made as of Friday.
Detectives say the probe is ongoing as they work to determine what led up to the shooting and to identify any suspects. Police have not released information about a possible motive.
Park's violent history
The shooting is the latest violent episode in and around the popular downtown skate spot and nearby riverfront parks. In 2022, a fatal shooting near the park left a 16-year-old dead, as reported by Denver7.
Local coverage in recent months has also pointed to reports of gunfire near Commons Park and City of Cuernavaca Park, keeping public safety along the downtown riverfront squarely in the spotlight. Residents and businesses in Lower Downtown have been calling for stepped-up patrols after a string of high-profile incidents in the area.
What comes next
The Denver Office of the Medical Examiner will release the man’s identity and official cause of death after an autopsy and notification of his family, The Denver Gazette reported.
Authorities have not shared any details about a suspect, and there have been no arrests announced as of Friday. This story will be updated when police or the medical examiner release additional information.
