DENVER -- Police were investigating the shooting death of a high school assistant football coach at a car wash near his home.

Smoky Hill High School special education teacher Michael Leighton, 24 (pictured, left), was washing his 1999 Chevy Tahoe on Friday when a Hispanic man in a leather jacket walked up, police said. Shots rang out and the assailant ran away.

Leighton was hit once in the chest.

"We don't know if this was an attempted robbery or attempted carjacking," police spokesman Sonny Jackson said.

Jackson wouldn't comment on what witnesses told police.

The 6-foot-4, 270-pound Leighton came to Colorado from Ohio last year to coach and teach at Smoky Hill in Aurora.

He had been a star lineman on his football team at Solon High School, outside Cleveland, and an outfielder on the baseball team. He was a starting lineman at the University of Findlay in Ohio.

"Children gravitated to Mike," said his father, Ken Leighton Sr. "The only way to remember Mike is that he was a fun-loving guy. Kids really liked him. The universal sentiment around here is you never saw Mike without a smile on his face."

"We lost a wonderful man who just loved life to the fullest," said Andrea Krassner, coordinator of the Estate I-Team where Leighton taught. The alternative program is for 11th and 12th grade at-risk students.

"He was genuine, warm, open and caring. He loved kids ... he was able to engage hard-to-reach kids and get them excited about writing," Krassner said.

Leighton had planned to pursue a master's degree in either special education or reading development. Leighton also volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House and was a member of the Sons of the American Legion.

Services will be held Saturday in Solon, Ohio.

Students are on winter break until Jan. 5. When they return, crisis team counselors will be available for them, Cherry Creek School District officials said.

In the meantime, students who are struggling with the loss can call the Estate at (720) 886-5850.

Denver police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the shooting Friday evening at a carwash at 3425 W. Colfax Ave. to call them at (720) 913-2000.