Denver was left reeling as what started as exuberant celebrations following the Denver Nuggets’ NBA basketball championship victory turned into a potentially deadly situation. In the aftermath of the festivities, at least 10 individuals, including the suspected shooter, were injured in a shooting incident in downtown Denver.
The Denver Police reported that three victims were in critical condition and hospitalized after multiple gunshots were fired near the intersection of Market and 20th Streets. Authorities swiftly took a man into custody who was suspected of being responsible for the shots. It was later revealed that the suspect himself sustained a non-life-threatening injury.
Denver police spokesperson Douglas Schepman confirmed that the suspect was apprehended quickly and without incident. Meanwhile, investigations are underway to determine who shot the suspect, making it a complex case for the police.
The shooting occurred shortly after thousands of people had gathered near Ball Arena, located about a mile north of the incident site, to celebrate the Denver Nuggets‘ victory over the Miami Heat in the NBA championship.
Altercations between several individuals escalated into fights and gunshots near 20th and Market around 12:30 a.m., according to Schepman. Although the crowd had started to thin out by that time, thousands were still present in the vicinity. Denver police had anticipated potential trouble and had increased their presence in the area. Their swift response was attributed to the additional officers stationed nearby to manage traffic and ensure public safety after the Denver Nuggets celebration.
Incidents unrelated to the shooting were also reported overnight in downtown Denver, including a separate shooting on Tremont Street that left one man hospitalized. Authorities are investigating the circumstances leading up to that incident. In another case, a victim of the shooting at 20th and Market sought help on Blake Street before heading to the hospital independently.
The alarming shooting in Denver adds to the already grim statistics of gun violence in the United States. According to the Gun Violence Archive, the country has witnessed 291 mass shootings and a total of 19,161 gun-related deaths this year alone, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address this issue.
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Despite the somber turn of events, Denver residents are looking ahead to a celebratory parade planned for Thursday morning downtown, featuring floats carrying Denver Nuggets players.
