DENVER — Police in Denver are investigating an overnight shooting that left two people dead and four people seriously wounded.
The six people were shot at a house party in the 4600 block of East Colorado Avenue, according to a Denver Police Department tweet sent at 1:19 a.m. Sunday.
The department’s tweet initially said there were four victims but later said two additional victims in serious condition were located. Two men were pronounced deceased at the hospital later in the day. The Denver Office of the Medical Examiner confirmed on Tuesday that Prudencio Ortiz-Arellanez Jr., 18, and Abraham Garcia, 21, were the victims.
The four people in the hospital include a juvenile male, a woman and two men, police said on Monday. Their current conditions are not known.
E Colorado Ave between S Dahlia St & S Clermont St remains closed as police continue investigating an overnight shooting that killed one & injured three others at a party. We counted multiple evidence markers. @DenverPolice told us this AM no one was in custody. @DenverChannel https://t.co/0tQ9X9Hup7 pic.twitter.com/U0BQNm0P6t
— Pattrik Perez (@PattrikPerez) June 12, 2022
Keegan Maselli, who lives near the home where the shooting took place, wasn't aware it was an actual shooting until he tried to leave his home at about 9 a.m. Sunday and saw crime scene tape.
"We have parties, too, and stay up late," he said. "We have all sorts of people come over, and it's scary to think that someone can just roll up and, you know, let loose.
East Colorado Avenue, between South Clermont Street and South Dahlia Street, was blocked off for hours as investigators canvassed the area. Multiple evidence markers littered the ground.
"You never think it's going to happen on your block because the whole block is really just super quiet and chill, lots of families and stuff," Maselli said.
Denver Police records show when it comes to violent crime the Virginia Village neighborhood is not at the top of the list, but it is rising.
So far this year, there have been 23 violent crimes, which include crimes like murder, robbery and aggravated assault. All of last year, there were 42, an increase of 40 percent from the year prior.
Neighbors just can't believe this shooting happened so close to home.
"It's a little scary, honestly," Maselli said.
No one was in custody as of Sunday afternoon. No other details were provided.
Police are asking anyone with information to contact the Denver Police Department at 720-913-2000.
