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Family of former Marine gunned down on Valentine's Day desperate for answers

Case still unsolved, family raising money
Posted at 8:09 PM, Apr 10, 2017
and last updated 2017-04-11 00:20:36-04

DENVER -- The hunt to find a father's killer is growing colder, but the family of Richard Hammond, 63, is not giving up hope.

They've raised more than $10,000 for the Crime Stoppers reward in hopes of encouraging someone to come forward with information.

"Didn't think that we'd ever receive a phone call like that," Hammond's daughter, Jessica Moon, said in a Skype interview from Washington, D.C. "We want justice for him."

A former Marine and transportation director, Hammond was gunned down in Five Points on his way to work on Valentine's Day.

"He was an amazing man. He never took himself too seriously, always made us laugh," said daughter Erin Hammond.

Hammond left his home around 3:30 a.m. on Feb. 14 to drive to his job at the Falcon 49 School District in the Colorado Springs area. He never made it to work.

Denver police found him shot to death in his own car three blocks from his home near 37th Ave. and York St. in Five Points.

"I feel like dad was targeted. I don't feel like this was a random act," Moon said.

"I think just not knowing is the hardest part," Erin Hammond said.

Two months later, police have no new leads.

His family wants to bring awareness to their dad's case and are raising money for the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers reward, which is now up to $12,000.

"Any leads any information that anybody has," Erin Hammond said.

Click here to donate to the GoFundMe page.

Hammond leaves behind five kids and two grandchildren, with another one on the way.

"I'm four months pregnant with his third grandchild, and I didn't get a chance to tell him," Moon said.

"Usually we'd get a Sunday afternoon phone call from my dad, and I keep thinking every Sunday that I'm still going to get that phone call," Erin Hammond said.

Anyone with information on this case should contact Denver police.


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