Denver police say they have arrested 18-year-old Dazirius Wilford in connection with the Russell Square Park shooting that left two family members dead during an Easter gathering. Wilford was taken into custody on Wednesday, June 24, and is being held for investigation of first-degree murder, according to authorities. The victims, 43-year-old Sharon Ware and 18-year-old Pharrow Ware, were attending a family event at the park when they were shot.
In a post on the Denver Police Department, officials listed Wilford's date of birth as Jan. 28, 2008, and said investigators are still developing evidence in the case. The department again urged anyone with information to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP. Police noted that the investigation remains active and did not detail formal charges in the social media update.
What happened at Russell Square Park
The violence broke out around 6 p.m. on Easter Sunday, April 5, while families were gathered at Russell Square Park, according to Denverite. Witnesses and police reported that a black Jeep Cherokee SRT circled the park before gunfire erupted. Investigators later recovered an abandoned, stolen vehicle that had been set on fire that night. Sharon Ware died at the scene, and Pharrow Ware later died from his injuries, leaving the neighborhood shaken and searching for answers.
Investigation and prosecutorial review
In the weeks after the shooting, investigators identified a 34-year-old attendee who allegedly fired the shot that struck the female victim. But the Denver District Attorney's Office declined to file homicide charges against that man after reviewing the case. As Denver7 reported, prosecutors told police there was "no reasonable likelihood of conviction." Both police and the DA's office said they continue to examine whether other charges could be appropriate, while detectives keep working the larger case.
Family reaction and neighborhood response
Pharrow Ware's mother, Shy-La Metcalfe, told CBS Colorado that her son was a promising student preparing for college and that the loss has devastated the family. Relatives launched a fundraiser to help cover funeral expenses, The Denver Gazette reported, while neighbors pressed city officials for more patrols and stronger community safety measures. The killings have renewed calls for additional resources to confront gun violence in north Denver.
What comes next
Wilford remains in custody as detectives continue interviewing witnesses and collecting evidence. It is still unclear from the police statement whether prosecutors will ultimately file charges against him. The earlier decision not to pursue homicide charges against the 34-year-old attendee highlights how difficult complex, multi-shooter cases can be to prosecute. Investigators have again asked anyone with video or information to reach out to Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867 (720-913-STOP), according to Denver7.
