One dead in Joliet Street shooting

AURORA | Police are investigating a shooting that left one man dead Monday night on South Joliet Street.

The shooting happened about 8 p.m. in the 900 block of Joliet.

Police said in a statement that when officers arrived on the scene, they found a man with a gunshot wound to his upper body.

The man, whose name has not been released, was taken to an area hospital and pronounced dead about 8:40 p.m.

Police said there was an altercation between the man and someone else shortly before the shooting.

Hightower trial could wrap today

AURORA | The trial of an Aurora man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend in 2007 at her Glendale apartment could end today or tomorrow. 

A spokeswoman for the Arapahoe County District Attorney's Office said today that prosecutors in the trial of Marcus Hightwoer expected to finish their case today. After that, Hightower's defense, which was expected to call two witnesses, was to start. 

Closing arguments were set for Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning in Arapahoe County District Court in Centennial. 

Hightower is accused of killing Abigail Robertson in December 2007. 

According to court records Hightower, who was 23 at the time of the killing, is charged with murder, burglary, robbery and weapons possession by a previous offender.

Hightower turned himself in to Aurora police minutes after Glendale police say he stabbed his ex-girlfriend at her apartment on South Dahlia Circle.

He has been held without bond in the Arapahoe County Jail since his arrest in December 2007. 

Shooting at Cherry Creek State Park range

Channel 7 in Denver is reporting that a woman was killed Monday at the shooting range at Cherry Creek State Park. 


The park near Interstate 225 and Parker Road is under the Arapahoe County sheriff's jurisdiction and I just left a message with them. 


I will update this story when I hear back. 


-Brandon

Denver shooting victim from Aurora

AURORA | A man shot to death in west Denver late Tuesday night was from Aurora, the Denver medical examiner said Friday.

The man, Ronald B. Sanchez, 45, was shot around about 11:45 p.m. near West Sixth Avenue and Lowell Boulevard in Denver.

According to a statement from Denver police, officers responded to 520 Lowell on a report of a shooting. 

There, officers and emergency crews found Sanchez seated in a vehicle. 

He had been shot multiple times and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. 

The medical examiner’s office said Sanchez died from multiple gunshot wounds and ruled his death a homicide.

Police said Sanchez may have been in an altercation with several people before he was shot. 

Police are asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact Denver police at 720-913-2000 or call Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867). 

A cash reward of up to $2,000 is being offered for information about the case. 

Questions remain in Pinkus slaying

Bailey

Bassett

Harper

AURORA | Even with the arrest of two more people in connection with the slaying last month of a 51-year-old man at the Crestwood Suites Hotel, the bizarre case remains rife with unanswered questions. 

Police said yesterday that they have arrested Robert Harper, 18, of Denver, and Maliek Bailey, 35, of Denver, and both have both been charged with first-degree murder and robbery.

The charges stem from the Oct. 15 slaying of Michael Pinkus, 51, who was found dead at the Crestwood Suites Hotel.

Police arrested Steven Wayne Bassett, 27, of Denver, the night of Pinkus’ death. 

All three are being held without bond at the Arapahoe County Jail. 

Two more arrested in hotel murder

AURORA | Police have charged two more people with murder in connection with the slaying last month of a man at an Aurora hotel. 

Robert Harper, 18, of Denver, and Maliek Bailey, 35, of Denver, have both been charged with first-degree murder and robbery, police said this afternoon. 

The charges stem from the Oct. 15 slaying of Michael Pinkus, 51. 

Police arrested Steven Wayne Bassett, 27, of Denver, the night of Pinkus’ death. 

All three are being held without bond at the Arapahoe County Jail. 

We should have more to come on this shortly. 

-Brandon

City to dedicate bench to Morales

Rodney Morales

AURORA | City officials will dedicate a bench tomorrow in memory of slain Code Enforcement Officer Rodney Morales. 

The ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Xeriscape Garden on the eastside of the Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway. 

A city spokeswoman said Morales’ family is expected to attend. 

Morales was gunned down Nov. 13, 2008, seconds after he walked into a north Aurora apartment building for a routine inspection. 

Harry Williams, the man convicted of killing Morales, is currently serving a life sentence. 

Here is a link to a story I wrote about Williams’ trial.