Nearly four years after a man was killed outside his Commerce City home, his family and local detectives are once again asking the public for help. The fatal shooting followed a late‑night confrontation outside a house on the 5400 block of Leyden Street and remains unsolved, a lingering case that relatives hope will finally break with a new police video appeal.
On July 2, the Commerce City Police Department released a three‑minute Facebook Reel featuring the victim’s widow asking the community for answers while detectives walk through what they still need to solve the case. According to the Commerce City Police Department, viewers are urged to watch the clip closely and call in any information that might help.
How it happened
Commerce City investigators say the chain of events started in the early hours of July 25, 2022, when a man left a Denver nightclub and later returned to his home on the 5400 block of Leyden Street. Authorities report that two suspects approached his parked vehicle, one pulled a handgun, and the victim’s brother ran outside to intervene. The brother was shot and died at the scene, according to Denver7. Detectives later identified a sedan caught on nearby surveillance video as a 2004–2008 Acura TL, that outlet noted.
Suspect vehicles and evidence
Investigators say the suspects also stole the victim’s pickup and left the area in both vehicles, and law enforcement released images of the maroon 2003 Chevrolet Silverado taken during the robbery, authorities told CBS Colorado. Officials have asked anyone who spots that truck or recognizes any of the vehicles tied to the case to get in touch with detectives. Tipsters can remain anonymous, according to the release.
Family plea and suspect descriptions
The Facebook Reel identifies the man killed as Emilio Fernandez and shows his widow openly pleading for justice, saying the family has been waiting years for someone to come forward. The post lists Detective Yvette Cazares as the lead investigator and provides an email address, [email protected]. It also shares suspect descriptions that relatives hope will jog memories: one person described by family members as taller with faded curly hair, and another described as about 5'6" and 220 pounds with a full connecting beard, according to the Commerce City Police Department. Investigators say an alleged getaway driver may also have been involved in the confrontation.
How to help
Anyone with information related to the killing or the vehicles involved is asked to call the Commerce City Police Department tip line at 303-289-3626. Callers can remain anonymous, Denver7 reports. Police have also encouraged residents to review any doorbell or security camera footage from the nights around July 25, 2022, and to report anything out of the ordinary to investigators.
