A Denver man has admitted to killing 25-year-old Leonel Silva-Perez in a Jefferson Park alley and now faces a possible decades-long prison sentence.
Rafael Acosta-Hernandez pleaded guilty Thursday in Denver District Court to one count of second-degree murder and could receive up to 38 years behind bars. Sentencing is set for July 10, closing in on the end of a case that started with gunfire behind homes in the 2600 block of North Zuni Street on March 6, 2025.
Prosecutors and court officials confirmed the plea deal and potential sentence range, according to The Denver Post.
How Police Say the Shooting Unfolded
Authorities say an argument between Acosta-Hernandez and Silva-Perez escalated into gunfire in the alley behind North Zuni Street. Surveillance footage helped investigators identify a suspect, and witnesses later followed the vehicle seen leaving the scene, according to local reporting.
CBS Colorado reported that officers caught up with the suspect after a short vehicle pursuit supported by SWAT and K-9 units. The Denver Office of the Medical Examiner identified the victim as Silva-Perez, 25.
Court Calendar and Next Steps
Colorado court records show that the case moved through a disposition hearing at the end of April and now heads toward a sentencing hearing on July 10. Those entries appear in public docket records for the Denver District Court. The recent case activity is reflected in Colorado Judicial Branch docket listings.
Before the hearing, prosecutors are expected to file written sentencing recommendations, and the judge will decide the final punishment within the limits of Colorado law. The guilty plea to second-degree murder was confirmed by the Denver District Attorney's Office. As of this update, defense filings and any public statements from Silva-Perez's family had not been widely reported.
Neighborhood Impact
The shooting rattled the Jefferson Park area and briefly disrupted normal routines around nearby North High School. Police established a secure perimeter after the shots were fired, and neighbors saw a noticeable surge in officers in the blocks surrounding the alley.
Denver7 reported that investigators asked anyone with additional information to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers as they worked to piece together what led up to the deadly confrontation.
