Crime
Two Killed, Two Suspects in Custody Following Shooting at 7-Eleven in Denver’s Clayton Neighborhood
Denver, CO – Authorities are investigating a deadly shooting that claimed the lives of two individuals early Monday morning in Denver’s Clayton neighborhood. Two suspects have been taken into custody in connection with the incident.
According to Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas, the shooting occurred around midnight at a 7-Eleven convenience store located at 35th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard, adjacent to the Park Hill Golf Course.
Preliminary reports indicate that two groups of adults arrived at the convenience store and became involved in a verbal altercation, which quickly escalated into gunfire.
Upon arrival, officers discovered one victim deceased at the scene in the parking lot. A second victim, who was transported to a nearby hospital, was later pronounced dead.
Chief Thomas stated that an officer who was in the vicinity at the time of the shooting heard the gunfire and immediately responded.
The officer encountered a suspect holding a firearm and discharged their weapon in response. However, the suspect managed to flee the scene.
It remains unclear whether the suspect was injured during the exchange of gunfire or if they fired at the officer. Fortunately, the officer was unharmed.
“Certainly, it’s a concern when you have an individual who is armed with a weapon and has no regard for public safety, engaging in gunfire in our community and also with police officers,” said Chief Thomas. “We do believe this was an isolated incident between the two groups involved.”
Initially, one suspect was taken into custody at the scene.
Hours later, at approximately 6:30 a.m., authorities confirmed that the second suspect who fled had been apprehended.
The investigation remains ongoing as detectives work to determine the suspects’ level of involvement and establish a clear motive for the shooting.
Denver police urge anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at (720) 913-7867. Tipsters may remain anonymous.
Crime
Agent Nic Graham Dies After Being Shot in Lakewood Police Shootout With Suspect Gabriel Garcia on RTD Bus
LAKEWOOD, Colorado — A Lakewood police agent who was critically wounded during a shootout with a suspect aboard an RTD bus has died, authorities confirmed. The fallen officer was identified as Nic Graham, a member of the Lakewood Police Department since 2019.
Graham was among four police agents injured Thursday evening when an armed confrontation erupted near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard. A civilian bystander was also struck by gunfire.
The shooting followed a police search for a suspect connected to a hit-and-run crash reported earlier in the day.
Police said the incident initially began shortly before 3:45 p.m. Thursday, following a hit-and-run collision near Kipling Street and West 13th Avenue in Lakewood.
Witnesses told investigators that the suspect ran away almost immediately after the crash. However, they provided officers with a description that helped police identify and search for the individual.
Lakewood Police Public Information Agent John Romero said witnesses were able to give officers a useful description of the person who fled the scene.
Several hours later, at approximately 6:30 p.m., a Lakewood police agent recognized the individual boarding an RTD bus near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard.
Officers approached the suspect at approximately 6:32 p.m. Police said the individual opened fire on officers, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
Responding officers returned fire, striking the suspect. The individual was pronounced dead at the scene and was identified as Gabriel Garcia.
Garcia was reportedly on parole when the shooting occurred.
The circumstances surrounding the confrontation remain part of the ongoing investigation.
Four Lakewood police agents suffered gunshot wounds during the confrontation. Their injuries ranged from serious to critical, and all four were transported to nearby hospitals.
Despite receiving emergency medical treatment, Graham later died from his injuries.
One civilian bystander was also hit by gunfire and hospitalized. The person’s condition had not been publicly disclosed as of Friday afternoon.
Hospital updates released Friday morning indicated that two agents treated at Denver Health Medical Center had been released. Another remained hospitalized, while officials had not provided a complete update on the remaining injured individuals.
Graham began serving with the Lakewood Police Department in 2019 after graduating from the police academy.
Throughout his law enforcement career, he contributed to criminal investigations and earned recognition for his work.
One of his notable achievements came in 2023, when he received the department’s Special Investigations Unit Wingman Award for his contributions to investigations targeting gang members.
Police Chief Philip Smith paid tribute to Graham, highlighting his dedication, compassion and commitment to helping others.
Chief Smith said Graham demonstrated those qualities throughout his career, from his early days on patrol to his investigative work.
His death has left the department and the wider Lakewood community grieving the loss of an officer who dedicated his career to public service.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities examine the circumstances that led to the deadly confrontation.
The shooting resulted in the death of suspect Gabriel Garcia, the fatal injury of Agent Nic Graham, injuries to three additional police agents and a civilian bystander.
Officials have not released a final investigative account of the incident. Further updates are expected as investigators establish the complete sequence of events.