A packed Sunday afternoon at Cherry Creek State Park's popular swim beach turned tense when gunfire cut through the noise, according to deputies. Law enforcement says someone fired multiple rounds near the water, and families and swimmers were quickly cleared from part of the shoreline while officers locked down the area. No injuries were reported, and several people were detained as deputies began searching for evidence.
Authorities respond, search the scene
Arapahoe County deputies say the shooting happened at about 3:30 p.m., prompting a partial closure of the swim beach so investigators and park rangers could push crowds back and secure the scene. Deputies detained six people and brought in K9 teams to help search for evidence. The sheriff's office did not give an estimate for when the swim beach might reopen, according to CBS News Colorado.
About Cherry Creek State Park
Cherry Creek State Park is a roughly 4,200-acre reservoir and recreation hub that regularly fills up with swimmers, boaters, and picnicking families from across the Denver metro. The park, including its busy sandy swim beach, sits at 4201 South Parker Road in Aurora and is managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Heavy weekend traffic at the swim beach can make emergency response and evidence collection more complicated, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Not the first time
This is not the first time deputies have dealt with gunfire near the Cherry Creek swim beach. In May 2023, deputies detained two men after witnesses reported seeing people firing weapons near the swim beach, and the suspects took off in a vehicle that later crashed, according to reporting by KKTV. That incident led to stepped-up patrols in the area and public reminders about staying alert during peak recreation hours.
What officials want from the public
Authorities have not released details about possible motives or charges and are asking the public to steer clear of the closed portion of the beach while investigators finish their work. Anyone who has information or video from the area is urged to contact the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office. The partial closure remained in place as deputies and park rangers continued their search, according to CBS News Colorado. Visitors are encouraged to check park notices before heading to Cherry Creek this week.
How to stay safe
If you are at a crowded swim beach and hear what sounds like gunfire, move away from the noise toward a secure location, call 911 as soon as it is safe to do so, and follow instructions from park staff and deputies. Colorado Parks and Wildlife keeps current alerts and closure information posted on its site for Cherry Creek State Park, so checking before you go can help you avoid active investigations and restricted areas.
