Gang Activity Suspected In Sports Bar Shooting
Porter Flown Back To Pittsburgh, Examined By Steelers' Doctor
POSTED: 2:47 p.m. MDT September 2, 2003
UPDATED: 3:31 p.m. MDT September 2, 2003
DENVER -- Gang activity is suspected to be behind a deadly weekend shooting at a Denver sports bar.
Six people were shot in the early Sunday morning incident, one fatally. Witnesses said they didn't get a good look at the shooter but describe seeing a man in a mask hiding behind a wooden fence and shooting into the crowd of about 150 people.
Christopher Wilford, 28, was killed in the shooting. Denver police say Wilford had a long criminal record with gang affiliations. They believe he may have been the target and the others who were injured were just innocent bystanders.
One of the victims, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joey Porter, is now back in Pittsburgh.
The 26-year-old former Colorado State University star arrived in Pittsburgh Tuesday via private jet. Still dressed in a hospital gown, the Pro Bowl player was carried away on a stretcher to be examined by the Steelers doctors.
Porter was in town for the CSU-Colorado game at Invesco Field on Saturday. After the game, Porter went to Denver's Best All Sports Bar and Grill at 38th and Walnut for a postgame party, hosted by a group of CSU alumni.
The shooting occurred at 1:45 a.m. as a large group of people were leaving the bar. Also wounded in the shooting were Kendal Johnson, the bar owner's brother; Samantha Long; Evette Marshall; and Jeffrey Dixon.
Steelers coach Bill Cowher said a bullet lodged in Porter's right thigh after hitting him in the left buttock. Cowher said Porter's injuries easily could have been much worse, and there is every reason to believe the Steelers'
best defensive player will be back well before the season ends.
Porter will miss the Steelers' season opener against Baltimore Sunday at Heinz Field.
Porter will be replaced by Clark Haggans, Porter's former teammate at CSU and probably the
Steelers' most skilled defensive backup. Haggans also flew to Denver over the holiday weekend and attended the
Colorado State-Colorado game with Porter. Haggans also accompanied Porter to the sports bar, but was not injured.
Two off-duty police officers and five security guards were in the parking lot when the shooting happened but did not see the gunman, who is still at large. Police believe the shooting was planned.
Six people were shot in the early Sunday morning incident, one fatally. Witnesses said they didn't get a good look at the shooter but describe seeing a man in a mask hiding behind a wooden fence and shooting into the crowd of about 150 people.
Christopher Wilford, 28, was killed in the shooting. Denver police say Wilford had a long criminal record with gang affiliations. They believe he may have been the target and the others who were injured were just innocent bystanders.
One of the victims, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joey Porter, is now back in Pittsburgh.
The 26-year-old former Colorado State University star arrived in Pittsburgh Tuesday via private jet. Still dressed in a hospital gown, the Pro Bowl player was carried away on a stretcher to be examined by the Steelers doctors.
Porter was in town for the CSU-Colorado game at Invesco Field on Saturday. After the game, Porter went to Denver's Best All Sports Bar and Grill at 38th and Walnut for a postgame party, hosted by a group of CSU alumni.
The shooting occurred at 1:45 a.m. as a large group of people were leaving the bar. Also wounded in the shooting were Kendal Johnson, the bar owner's brother; Samantha Long; Evette Marshall; and Jeffrey Dixon.
Steelers coach Bill Cowher said a bullet lodged in Porter's right thigh after hitting him in the left buttock. Cowher said Porter's injuries easily could have been much worse, and there is every reason to believe the Steelers'
best defensive player will be back well before the season ends.
Porter will miss the Steelers' season opener against Baltimore Sunday at Heinz Field.
Porter will be replaced by Clark Haggans, Porter's former teammate at CSU and probably the
Steelers' most skilled defensive backup. Haggans also flew to Denver over the holiday weekend and attended the
Colorado State-Colorado game with Porter. Haggans also accompanied Porter to the sports bar, but was not injured.
Two off-duty police officers and five security guards were in the parking lot when the shooting happened but did not see the gunman, who is still at large. Police believe the shooting was planned.
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- September 1, 2003: Pittsburgh Steeler Shot Outside Denver Bar
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