Crime
Celinda Levno killed in Denver 16th Street Mall stabbing spree, suspect arrested
A man has been arrested in connection with a series of stabbings along Denver’s 16th Street over the weekend that left two people dead and two others injured.
Denver police announced the arrest late Sunday, confirming the suspect’s involvement in four separate incidents, including a fatal stabbing on Sunday night.
The first stabbing occurred at approximately 5:12 p.m. on Saturday at the intersection of 16th Street and Tremont Street.
Responding officers found a man suffering from non-life-threatening injuries and transported him to a local hospital for treatment.
Just minutes later, at around 5:17 p.m., police were called to another stabbing at 16th Street and California Street.
A female victim with severe throat injuries was rushed to the hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries on Sunday. Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas stated that the victim will be formally identified by the Denver County Coroner’s Office.
At 5:54 p.m. on Saturday, a third stabbing was reported at 16th Street and Lawrence Street. In this incident, an adult male victim sustained critical injuries.
As of Sunday evening, he remained in stable condition.
On Sunday night, at approximately 10:00 p.m., police responded to a fourth stabbing in the 1600 block of Market Street. The victim in this incident was transported to a hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Shortly after the fourth stabbing, police apprehended an adult male suspect. By 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, Denver police confirmed the individual had been formally arrested in connection with all four stabbings.
While the suspect’s name has not yet been released, officials indicated his identity will be made public after he is booked into jail on Monday.
Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas emphasized that investigators do not believe the suspect had any prior relationship with the victims. The motives behind the attacks remain unclear, and authorities are working to piece together the circumstances leading to the violent spree.
The Denver Police Department has increased patrols in the area to ensure public safety and prevent further incidents. Residents and visitors are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information related to the stabbings is urged to contact the Denver Police Department or submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867).
Crime
2 Christian County deputies killed in the line of duty, suspect Richard Bird also dead
The name of the second deputy has not yet been publicly released pending family notification.
Christian County, Mo. — A massive multi-agency manhunt in Christian County has ended with the suspect dead, but not before claiming the lives of two sheriff’s deputies and injuring two others.
According to Brad Cole, the suspect, Richard Bird, was shot and killed by law enforcement officers early Tuesday morning near the roundabout on State Highway 160 close to Reeds Spring.
Authorities confirmed that two deputies with the Christian County Sheriff’s Office were killed in the line of duty during the operation.
One of the fallen deputies has been identified as 30-year-old Deputy Gabriel Ramirez.
The name of the second deputy has not yet been publicly released pending family notification.
In addition to the two fatalities, one Christian County deputy and one deputy from the Webster County Sheriff’s Office were wounded during the exchange of gunfire.
Sheriff Cole stated that their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
The violence began around 4:00 p.m. Monday when a Christian County deputy conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of State Highway 160 and Route HH, south of Highlandville.
During that stop, Deputy Ramirez was fatally shot, prompting a Blue Alert and a large-scale manhunt for Bird.
After Bird’s vehicle was located abandoned, officers from across the Ozarks converged on the area. Sheriff Cole said approximately 100 officers, deputies, and state troopers participated in the search effort, along with federal partners including the U.S. Marshals Service, the FBI, and the ATF.
The search continued for hours into the early morning. A helicopter operated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol detected a moving heat signature in a wooded area near Reeds Spring. As deputies approached the location, Bird reportedly opened fire. Law enforcement officers returned fire, fatally striking the suspect and ending the threat.
While the suspect was neutralized, the outcome has left the community in mourning. Two deputies lost their lives in the line of duty, and two others were injured.
Sheriff Cole described the loss as devastating for the department and the broader community. Families of the fallen deputies are now grieving, and colleagues across multiple agencies are reflecting on the risks law enforcement officers face daily.
The investigation into the incident remains ongoing as authorities continue to process the scene and review the circumstances surrounding the shootings.